Contact: Ed Potosnak
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CONGRESSMAN FRANK PALLONE AND SENATOR CORY BOOKER DISCUSS ENVIRONMENTAL OUTLOOK FOR NEW BIDEN ADMINISTRATION
NEW JERSEY LCV, RETHINK ENERGY, LEAGUE OF CONSERVATION VOTERS HOST POST-ELECTION WEBINAR ON ENVIRONMENTAL ACTION
Trenton – New Jersey LCV hosted a post-election webinar today on environmental action with their partners at ReThink Energy NJ and League of Conservation Voters (LCV) featuring U.S. Senator Cory Booker, member Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, and Congressman Frank Pallone, Chair of the powerful U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee. The Senator and Congressman discussed the recent election results and what they mean for action on protecting our environment, bold action on climate change, and safeguarding clean drinking water.
“With a pro-conservation Biden Administration and committed environmental champions like Senator Booker and Congressman Pallone, the new Congress is well positioned to take bold action to combat climate change and safeguard clean drinking water,” said Ed Potosnak, Executive Director, New Jersey LCV. “We’re excited to work with our federal, state, and local elected officials to reduce carbon pollution, make a just and equitable transition to clean energy that create good local jobs, protect public health by modernizing our drinking water supply, and preserve land to filter our clean water—there is so much to be done together, we’re looking forward to rolling up our sleeves.”
”New Jersey has been making great strides toward a clean energy future that will make our communities healthier and safer while creating thousands of good, local jobs,” said Tom Gilbert, Campaign Director, Rethink Energy NJ. “With continued leadership from Senators Menendez and Booker, Chairman Pallone and the House delegation, and a new Administration, we’re optimistic about opportunities to address the climate crisis and advance clean energy policies in Washington.”
“It is a new day with an incoming pro-environment Biden-Harris Administration and champions in Congress continuing to lead the fight to protect our health, safety, and environment,” said Sara Chieffo, Vice President of Government Affairs, League of Conservation Voters. “The New Jersey delegation – including Senators Booker and Menendez and Chairman Pallone – is positioned to lead the way in tackling the interlocking crises of racial injustice, climate change, public health, and economic inequality.”
The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) recently released a scientific report detailing a vast array of effects that climate change is causing and predictions for changes we can expect in our everyday lives in the coming years.
On average, a New Jersey homeowner can expect to endure a severe 100-year storm during the period of their 30-year mortgage, with more intense and frequent storms becoming the norm. These problems will especially have a devastating impact on communities of color that are already disproportionately burdened with the cumulative impacts of pollution.
Senator Booker and Congressman Pallone each discussed how we can mitigate the effects of climate change, ensure clean drinking water for all New Jerseyans and catalyze our clean energy economy so we can ensure a prosperous future for our children and grandchildren.
“Record wildfires, flooding, heat waves and powerful hurricanes have spelled out a dire reality: the climate crisis is here. New Jersey is on the frontline of this crisis, and we can no longer afford to address it along the margins, said Congressman Pallone. “As Chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee, I'll be glad to welcome a president who knows that climate change is real and that we must act with urgency to preserve our world for future generations. I’m confident the Biden-Harris Administration will work with us to confront climate change, address environmental injustice and rebuild our economy with good-paying jobs that promote energy efficiency and a clean future. As always, I’m grateful for the New Jersey League of Conservation Voters for their leadership on this important issue.”
“In four years, the Trump Administration has undone one landmark environmental protection after another intended to protect the future of our planet,” said U.S. Senator Cory Booker. “From chipping away at Clean Air Act and Clean Water Act protections, to pulling the United States out of the Paris Climate agreement, we have a lot of hard work to do to put the pieces back together. I am eager to work with New Jersey advocates and environmental champions like Congressman Pallone, Senator Menendez, Governor Murphy and President-Elect Biden to finally make the progress we need to protect this planet for future generations.”
U.S. Senator Robert Menendez had a scheduling conflict and was unable to speak at the Webinar, but he shared his excitement about the new administration. “As we move forward, we need to take bold action on climate change and pave the way for a clean energy future. After years of missed opportunities and irresponsible actions by the Trump Administration, I’m pleased to again have a partner in the White House that will work with us on these vital issues. As President-Elect Biden takes office, I look forward to continuing the fight alongside you all to protect our air, water, environment, and address the current climate crisis.”
New Jersey LCV, ReThink Energy NJ, and League of Conservation Voters are eager to work with our elected leaders to take bold action on climate change and other environmental concerns. This webinar was a continuation of efforts to keep these issues out front and the conversation going.