Acting Governor Richard Codey

CODEY TAKES CRUCIAL STEP TO COMBAT GLOBAL WARMING

(TRENTON) – Acting Governor Richard J. Codey today bolstered state efforts to combat global warming by classifying carbon dioxide as an air contaminant. Codey’s action made New Jersey one of the first states in the nation to take such a step. This action enables the Garden State to participate in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), a program to stabilize and reduce the emission of carbon dioxide, a leading cause of global warming.“As a coastal state, New Jersey is especially vulnerable to climate change,� said Acting Governor Richard J. Codey. “In the absence of federal action, it is critical that New Jersey be a leader in the fight to reverse the effects of global warming.�

The adopted regulations amend several air pollution control rules, reflecting current scientific consensus that carbon dioxide is an air contaminant. The revision lays the groundwork for regional initiatives to reduce carbon dioxide.

“Today’s announcement is a critical first step in New Jersey’s ongoing efforts to reduce harmful carbon dioxide emissions,� said Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Bradley Campbell. “Because the Federal government has failed to take action to address the issue of global warming, the states are left to confront the serious consequences of rising greenhouse gas levels. New Jersey is pleased to be part of a nine-state team that is working diligently to develop a regional strategy for controlling carbon dioxide emissions.�

RGGI is a cooperative effort by nine states to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from power plants. Other participating states are Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island, and Vermont. In addition, Pennsylvania, Maryland, the District of Columbia, the Eastern Canadian provinces and New Brunswick are participating as observers in the initiative.

RGGI recently prepared a draft greenhouse gas reduction plan for review by stakeholders. Central to this plan is the implementation of a multi-state cap-and-trade program with a market-based emissions trading system. The proposed program would require electric power generators in participating states to reduce carbon dioxide emissions.

Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas that traps the sun’s heat in the atmosphere, contributing to a rise in the earth’s average temperature and in sea levels. The state’s designation is based on existing and projected adverse impacts on the environment, ecosystems, wildlife and human health resulting from climate change.

Global warming is a serious threat to New Jersey, with projections forecasting average temperature increases between two and 10 degrees Fahrenheit by 2100. Such a severe climate change could contribute to air quality problems by exacerbating smog and ozone problems in the summer.

New Jersey is especially vulnerable to sea level rise (due primarily to thermal expansion of the oceans and melting of polar ice caps) and increases in the intensity of extreme weather events because of its gently sloping, highly developed coastline. These consequences could have serious impacts on New Jersey’s environment and coastal communities. There is a strong scientific consensus that severe consequences would result if action is not taken to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Today’s action reflects Codey’s ongoing commitment to improving air quality and reducing pollution. Last month, Codey signed landmark legislation to cut exposure to harmful diesel emissions from school buses, garbage trucks, transit buses and publicly owned diesel vehicles; and he proposed rules that reduce ozone, fine particles and toxic air pollution by establishing new vehicle emission standards.
The adopted rules will appear in the Nov. 21, 2005 New Jersey Register.
To learn more about the cooperative effort by Northeastern states to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, visit the RGGI Web site at www.rggi.org.