New Coalition Seeks to Protect Communities from Flooding and Pollution
Press Release • 11/15/2018
“Flood Defense New Jersey wants to empower our communities to help them address the growing threat of stormwater,” says Ed Potosnak, executive director of New Jersey LCV. “Local flooding is a huge problem and local leaders want the ability to protect their communities from it. The coalition is working to give them a tool to do just that.”
Leading Political Environmental Group Endorsees WIN in New Jersey Special Elections
Press Release • 11/6/2018
“The environment was on the ballot today in New Jersey – and around the country,” said Ed Potosnak, Executive Director of New Jersey LCV. “Voters made it clear up and down the ballot – and in extraordinary fashion – that we will not stand idly by as the Trump administration continues to wreak havoc on common-sense protections for our environment and public health. We are thrilled to see these environmental champions solidify their place in the General Assembly for another year, and we know they will work tirelessly to continue moving New Jersey toward our clean energy future.”
Worry Wards: How might environmental anxiety impact the midterm elections?
News Article • 11/1/2018 • by Jesse Nichols at Grist
Earlier this fall, the world’s top climate scientists gave humanity about 10 years to avoid a future that really sucks. With the midterm elections right around the corner, that warning means voters are effectively deciding which candidates to trust with the keys to the climate. If voters are sufficiently worried about warming, that anxiety might help determine who is put in office.
According to Anthony Leiserowitz, director of the Yale Program on Climate Change Communication, worry is a stronger predictor of policy support than other emotions. “We found that it’s not fear, it’s not anger, and it’s not disgust or guilt,” he explained. “Worry doesn’t hijack, doesn’t overwhelm, rationality. It can really spur it.”
So just how worried about the planet’s future are voters in the nation’s tightest congressional races? Grist created a map overlaying competitive elections, as identified by The Cook Political Report, with climate concern data from Yale’s 2018 Climate Opinion Maps.
Senate passes ban on fracking waste in NJ
News Article • 10/29/2018 • by Michelle Post at Press of Atlantic City
TRENTON _ The State Senate voted Monday 30-5 to pass a bill banning fracking waste in the state.
If it becomes law, New Jersey would become the second state in the nation to ban fracking waste and the first state in the Delaware River basin to do so.
There is an imminent need for such a law, environmentalists said. Another law passed this summer created a loophole for the Chemours/DuPont Chamber Works facility in Salem County to seek DEP approval to begin importing hazardous waste from other states.
Leading Political Environmental Group Endorses in New Jersey Special Elections
Press Release • 10/29/2018
TRENTON, NJ- New Jersey League of Conservation Voters (LCV), the leading political voice for the environment in New Jersey, announced its endorsements for the 2018 New Jersey Special Elections today. Ten appointed legislators are seeking re-election in seven special elections.
New Jersey LCV endorsed the following candidates for Assembly: Verlina Reynolds-Jackson in District 15, Linda Carter in District 22, Britnee Timberlake in District 34, and Clinton Calabrese in District 36.
State to hold Transco pipeline hearing on Nov. 5 in Franklin
News Article • 10/29/2018 • by Bob Makin at My Central Jersey
FRANKLIN (Somerset) - The state Department of Environmental Protection will hold a public hearing on the controversial 26.8-mile Northeast Supply Enhancement of the Transco pipeline and its proposed compressor station 6 p.m. on Nov. 5 at the Franklin High School Auditorium, 500 Elizabeth Ave., in the Somerset section.
The highly-protested extension of Tulsa-based Williams natural gas supplier’s pipeline would run through Old Bridge, Sayreville and the Raritan Bay. A 32,000-horsepower compression station is proposed at Trap Rock Quarry in Franklin.
The DEP has rejected plans for the project that Williams has had to resubmit. The Nov. 5 meeting will be about freshwater wetland and transition area impacts associated with the construction of an access road and connector pipes related to the compressor, as well as 3.59 miles of a proposed 26-inch-diameter pipeline in Sayreville and Old Bridge. Environmentalists and residents continue to express concerns about the plan.
NEW JERSEY LCV APPLAUDS COMMITTEE VOTE ON FLOOD DEFENSE ACT
Press Release • 10/22/2018
“New Jersey has a $16 billion problem to address stormwater and defend our communities from flooding,” said Ed Potosnak, executive director of New Jersey League of Conservation Voters. “Consistent flooding and polluted runoff harm our wallets, our families, our businesses, and our environment. Without the means to address these problems, most municipalities can’t fix them. That’s why it’s so important this bill becomes law.”
LCV ACTION FUND ENDORSES JOSH GOTTHEIMER FOR RE-ELECTION
Press Release • 10/16/2018
“Since his first Congressional race, Josh Gottheimer has been fighting for cleaner air and clean water for New Jersey’s families and businesses,” said New Jersey League of Conservation Voters Executive Director Ed Potosnak. “Josh’s continued membership on the bipartisan Climate Solutions Caucus in Congress will only become more important as we stand up to polluters and find common sense solutions to our growing climate problems. This election will be one of the most important elections of our lives, and I know that the 5th congressional district can count on Josh Gottheimer to safeguard their environment and protect their health.”
New Jersey LCV Statement on Green Amendment Committee Vote
Press Release • 10/15/2018
Ed Potosnak, executive director of New Jersey League of Conservation Voters, released the following statement today on the SCR134, aka the Green Amendment, passing Senate Energy and Environment Committee:
"New Jersey League of Conservation Voters is excited to see the Green Amendment move forward, and we look forward to a future where our clean drinking water and clean air is a constitutional right for all businesses and families in our state. New Jersey voters have proven time and time again that when they show up to vote, they vote for the environment. With New Jersey LCV's leadership on the important 2017 Natural Resource Damages constitutional amendment, which passed with overwhelming voter approval, we stand ready to make clean water, air, and lands a constitutional right. The Green Amendment will be another win for environmental voters."
NEW JERSEY ON THE CUSP OF MASSIVE EXPANSION OF ELECTRIC VEHICLES AND CLEANER AIR
Press Release • 10/15/2018
“New Jersey’s largest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions is transportation,” said Ed Potosnak, Executive Director of New Jersey League of Conservation Voters. “The air pollution problems it creates overburdens urban and environmental justice communities, causing more public health problems. Electric vehicles offer a better way to reduce toxic emissions as we work towards a clean energy future. This bill will help encourage public acceptance of these vehicles by reducing range anxiety and creating accessible public charging infrastructure.”