NY Energy & Enviro Groups Respond to NJ Gov Christie's Attempt to Pull State from Regional Climate Initiative

ALBANY, NY (05/26/2011)(readMedia)-- In response to New Jersey Governor Chris Christie's announcement today that he would like to pull the Garden State out of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, several of New York's environmental and energy groups, listed below, issued the following statement.

"New Yorkers today breathed a sigh of relief that they live in the Empire State, where political leaders, especially Governor Andrew Cuomo, recognize the economic potential of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and increasing energy efficiency and investment in clean, renewable energy sources like solar. New York's looking forward, not backward. We know our Governor would never abandon proven policies just to score political points.

Governor Christie's action today, which is by no means the final word on RGGI in New Jersey, signals that he sides with out-of-state corporate interests and extremists, and not the health and well-being of New Jersey's families and the environment."

The Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) is the nation's first plan to cut climate pollution from power plants. It's been up and running since 2009 and it works. From state to participating state, RGGI is already cutting pollution, encouraging energy efficiency, and investing tens of millions of dollars in what economists say is one of the nation's fastest-growing, job-creating industries. The benefits of the program are undeniable.

It remains to be seen if Governor Christie's announcement today will end New Jersey's participation in RGGI. In the meantime, the multi-state initiative will survive and states across the country will continue to look New York to lead by example.

The groups releasing the statement include The Adirondack Council, Alliance for Clean Energy - New York, Center for Working Families, Citizens Campaign for the Environment, Environmental Advocates of New York, New York Interfaith Power & Light, New York League of Conservation Voters, New York Public Interest Research Group, and PACE Energy and Climate Center.

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