"Green" group gives legislators low scores on environmental issues
News Article • • by Tom Johnson at NJ Spotlight
Apparently, it still isn’t easy being green -- particularly in the New Jersey Legislature.
At least that's the conclusion of the New Jersey League of Conservation Voters, which issued a scorecard yesterday that indicated lawmakers are sliding in their ratings for voting on environmental bills. It is a trend previously cited by more prominent and politically active groups, such as the New Jersey Environmental Federation and the New Jersey Sierra Club.
NJ Legislature’s Environmental Record Slipping According to NJLCV’s 2013 Scorecard
Press Release •
Trenton, NJ— Today the New Jersey League of Conservation Voters (NJLCV) released its 2013 Environmental Scorecard. The scorecard rates each member of the New Jersey Senate and Assembly on their conservation record and actions taken to protect the environment in the Garden State.
Groups Gift Garrett With 'Climate Change Denier' Award
News Article • • by Megan Merrigan at Patch.com
Rep. Scott Garrett (R-5th) received quite a gift on Tuesday – a group of New Jersey environmentalists presented the conservative congressman’s staff with an award for his “extreme, anti-science views.”
Chanting “It’s hot, Scott” and flashing homemade signs outside Garrett’s Glen Rock district office, The New Jersey League of Conservation Voters (NJLCV) and Organization for Action (OFA) railed against the Sussex congressman’s views on climate change.
“Climate change is one of the greatest environmental challenges,” NJLCV Executive Director Ed Potosnak said, remarking that the Jersey Shore “will be no more” if “aggressive action” isn’t taken. “As humans, we have created this problem and we have to stand up against it... Ninety-seven percent of climate scientists agree, yet many in Congress either refuse to act or, worse, join Rep. Garrett – with only a 11% lifetime LCV score – in denying that the problem even exists.”
Conservationists slam Senators Thompson and Beck for Voting Against Open Space
Press Release •
TRENTON, NJ— As the most densely populated state, New Jersey has been a leader among the states taking aggressive action to protect remaining lands like farms, forests, parks, and historic sites.
The Garden State dedicated an average of $200 million a year for open space funding since the creation of the Garden State Preservation Trust in 1998. Voters have consistently supported measures to set aside funds for this important preservation work. Recently, voters approved the Green Acres, Water Supply and Floodplain Protection, and Farmland and Historic Preservation Bond Act of 2009, authorizing $400 million for open space, farmland, and historic preservation.
Urge Sen. Beck to Support Open-Space Preservation
Press Release •
State Sen. Jennifer Beck’s recent vote against legislation to establish a dedicated source of state funding for open space, farmland and historic preservation is disappointing, to say the least.
Her vote denies voters in the most densely populated state the opportunity to decide whether they want to protect remaining open space. The vote is surprising because she has been a strong supporter of open-space preservation in the past.
New Jersey can’t afford to wait to establish a dedicated funding source, since there is no new money available to continue critical investments in keeping our drinking water clean, protecting our open space and wildlife habitat, and preserving our family farms and historic treasures.
Environmental Community Calls for a Better, Smarter New Jersey Guiding Principles to Recover, Rebuild, Protect from Extreme Weather
Press Release •
Trenton, NJ – Leaders from local, regional, state, and national groups in New Jersey joined together today to release guiding principles in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, and discuss a letter sent to Congress on Sandy-related disaster funds. [See the Principles Document and Delegation Letter HERE]
“There will be many decisions to be made as we move forward from Sandy,” said the American Littoral Society’s Tim Dillingham. “These principles if followed by state, local and private decision makers will result in a restored coastal environment and more resilient communities.”
“In the aftermath of the storm we must all pull together to help New Jersey rebuild and to protect us from future climate disruptions. We can either repeat the mistakes of the past or together move the state forward towards a smarter and better future. We can protect the environment and grow our economy through better planning, clean energy, and enhanced environmental protections,” stated Jeff Tittel, Director of the New Jersey Sierra Club.