On this Earth Day, the executive director of the New Jersey League of Conservation Voters says he's proud of the work that the New Jersey League of Conservative Voters is doing with their partners and our elected leaders to support clean energy legislation.I was thrilled when I received the invitation to join Gov. Phil Murphy at his recent announcement committing New Jersey to 100% clean energy on an accelerated timeline from 2050 to 2035.
The greatest threat to our oceans and marine life is climate change and to protect and preserve New Jersey coastal communities and habitats for generations to come, we support responsibly developed offshore wind. Governor Murphy has made offshore wind a priority for the state, aiming to reachby 2035.
However, a transition to 100% renewable energy is about more than technology. Fossil-fueled electric generators have historically been located in or near disadvantaged urban, indigenous or rural communities, and, as such, the related co-pollutants disproportionately impact families and businesses in communities of color, resulting in higher rates of asthma and other health disparities.
A study by the Applied Economics Clinic found that if New Jersey embraces more ambitious clean energy policies and strong labor standards, the state’s clean energy transition could generate about 11,000 jobs annually in the offshore wind, energy efficiency and storage, electrification and solar industries between 2025 and 2050.