New Jersey LCV Statement on NJGOP’s Increasingly False Statements
Press Release • 2/6/2019
The lawmakers who are spreading false information in an attempt to block the bipartisan Flood Defense Act are not only losing the trust of their constituents, but are turning their backs on clean water and safe communities for New Jersey families and businesses. We call on these lawmakers to end their politically motivated campaign of deceit and unite behind a common-sense goal of protecting New Jersey’s clean drinking water.
New Jersey LCV’s Lee M. Clark Appointed to Phillipsburg Housing Authority by Murphy Administration
Press Release • 2/1/2019
TRENTON, NJ—Lee M. Clark, Watershed Outreach Manager for New Jersey League of Conservation Voters (LCV) and Conservation Voters of Pennsylvania, has been appointed to serve a five-year term as a commissioner to the Phillipsburg Housing Authority.
New Jersey’s Flood Defense Act Passes Assembly Vote
Press Release • 1/31/2019
“New Jersey League of Conservation Voters and our Flood Defense New Jersey partners are so pleased to see this bill on track to become law,” said Ed Potosnak, Executive Director of New Jersey League of Conservation Voters (LCV). “New Jersey has a $16 billion problem to address stormwater and defend our communities from flooding. We look forward to Governor Murphy signing this bill so local municipalities will finally have a proven model to address this growing threat.”
PANEL OKS SPENDING BILL THAT BOOSTS ROLE OF NONPROFITS IN PRESERVATION PROJECTS
News Article • 1/30/2019 • by Tom Johnson at NJ Spotlight
Lawmakers appear to have settled on a mechanism for allocating constitutionally dedicated funds to preserve open space, farmland, and historic structures for the next fiscal year and beyond.
New Jersey LCV Celebrates Gov Murphy’s Fracking Announcement
Press Release • 1/30/2019
TRENTON, NJ- Today, Governor Murphy released a letter to the Delaware River Basin Commission calling for a full ban on fracking activities, including the importation and exportation of fracking waste, within the Delaware River Basin.
FLOOD DEFENSE ACT PASSES FINAL COMMITTEE VOTE
Press Release • 1/28/2019
TRENTON, NJ- Today, the Flood Defense Act passed the Assembly Appropriations Committee, clearing the way for a full Assembly floor vote, which could happen as soon as this Thursday. The bill, A2694/S1073, enables municipalities to create much-needed local stormwater programs to control flooding and reduce pollution. It previously passed the Assembly Telecommunications & Utilities Committee on October 22 of last year.
Environmentalists Applaud Governor’s Chief of Staff Pick, George Helmy
Press Release • 1/25/2019
“Clearly the Governor is keeping the environment at the top of his list of priorities,” said Ed Potosnak, Executive Director of New Jersey League of Conservation Voters. “Senator Booker’s environmental record is impressive—he has a lifetime score of 98% on the League of Conservation Voters’ scorecard, and received an outstanding 100% score for his 2017 pro-conservation voting record. Senator Booker has championed environmental justice, combating climate change, opposing drilling along the Jersey Shore and ensuring clean drinking water for all, and I know Mr. Helmy will bring a wealth of knowledge about critical New Jersey environmental issues to the Murphy Administration who is making NJ the greenest state in America.”
New Jersey LCV Applauds Murphy’s Appointments to Pinelands Commission
Press Release • 1/18/2019
TRENTON, NJ- Today Governor Murphy announced his appointments to the Pinelands Commission, an independent state agency that presides over the Pinelands National Reserve.
“The Pinelands are one of New Jersey’s crown jewels, and its importance to our natural heritage cannot be overstated,” said Ed Potosnak, Executive Director of New Jersey League of Conservation Voters. “Governor Murphy is making good on his promises to make science-based decision making a top priority in our state. The Christie Administration politicized the Pinelands Commission and filled it with members who would green light dangerous pipeline projects that violate the intent of the Commission. Governor Murphy’s appointees are a critical step in strengthening this important regional planning body to meet the objectives of the Pinelands act and protect the drinking water of millions of New Jerseyans.”
Climate change in NJ: Grading Phil Murphy's first year
News Article • 1/17/2019 • by Russ Zimmer at Asbury Park Press
Inch by inch, over the next several decades, the Atlantic Ocean is going to claim more of the barrier islands and low-lying coastal areas.
Monsoon-like rainstorms will become more commonplace, as will heat waves in the summer. The Pinelands will be under attack by tree-killing bugs from the South and commercial fishermen will have to adapt to hunting new species of fish.
This is how climate change will manifest in New Jersey, a reality that Gov. Phil Murphy, unlike his predecessor, acknowledges and has pledged to both resist and prepare for.
"Unless we do more (to counter climate change), the question isn’t whether we’ll see another superstorm like Sandy, but simply a question of when,” Murphy said during a speech in Highlands two weeks after his inauguration. “As the densest state in the nation, we can ill afford to keep our heads in the sand when it comes to climate change.“
Murphy sets sights on business tax breaks in State of the State
News Article • 1/16/2019 • by Michelle Brunetti Post at Press of Atlantic City
But League of Conservation Voters Executive Director Ed Potosnak defended Murphy’s first-year record.
“Our state has made huge strides to turn back the hands of time on the toxic legacy of the Christie administration,” Potosnak said, by advancing clean energy and environmental justice.