News Roundup

by: Juan Melli

Wed May 03, 2006 at 09:46:59 AM EDT

Lots of energy and environment-related news today.

A panel commissioned to study the effects of offshore wind farms recommended the creation of an up to 80 turbine, 350 megawatt wind farm. Call in the Waaaaaambulance! A councilman from Ship Bottom complained: "I think it would detract from the property values of the oceanfront people." Ironic that the most vocal complaints about property values come from those whose homes would be lost first if ocean levels rose even a few feet.

Menendez and Kean Jr argued yesterday over who took more money from the oil industry. If either campaign would like to divest itself of this dirty, dirty money, please note that we accept paypal.

The two also sparred over who drives the most earth-friendly cars. Kean accused Menendez of "criss-crossing the state in a three-ton gas-guzzling SUV that gets 15 miles per gallon," while a spokesman for Menendez responded that the Senator uses a Chrysler sedan or Nissan Altima. Kean's people say that he will use a hybrid Ford Escape SUV starting next week. Starting next week? You know, campaign stunts work better when you don't make it so obvious that you're reacting to the political winds.

Rising gas prices have led to an 11 percent increase in NJ Transit ridership since the start of the year.

After receiving 1400 emails from upset residents, Corzine decided to abandon his suggestion to allow self-service gas pumps and lowering the speed limit from 65 to 55. Smart move. By comparison, only 200 residents have emailed the governor about the proposed penny sales tax increase.

A new state initiative calling for energy-efficient housing and expanded renewable energy use in housing construction will be announced today. Commissioner Susan Bass Levin noted: "New Jersey is the most crowded, congested state, very dependent on foreign oil - long-term it brings down the cost of utilities."

Applebees will be opening up shop in Newark and will become "its first national family-style restaurant." Baby steps.

Paul Aronsohn's campaign had it's Sussex County kickoff event in Scott Garrett's home town late last week where about 75 people showed up.

Juan Melli :: News Roundup

Tags: Newark, Paul Aronsohn, renewable energy, NJ Transit, wind power, environment, gasoline, Tom Kean Jr, Bob Menendez, Jon Corzine, (All Tags)

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News Roundup | 2 comments

Aronsohn kickoff event (0.00 / 0)

I was there and was surprised at how many people in Scott Garrett's home town are ready to get rid of him. There are a lot of suburban transplants out there that commute back to the NYC metro area. It's definitely promising to see Sussex is sooner or later going to turn blue!!

by: jerzay @ Wed May 03, 2006 at 14:46:00 PM UTC

Demographic shifts (0.00 / 0)

This is actually a really important point. It used to be accepted conventional wisdom that people moved from urban to rural areas as they became more conservative and wanted to deal with less government. Nowadays, it's the high cost of living that's driving sprawl, not ideology. As a result -- see Tim Kaine's performance in the suburbs of northern VA as an example -- new suburban and exurban voters are turning those areas blue. It's pretty exciting if you view it as a leading indicator of future Democratic successes.

by: Scott Shields @ Wed May 03, 2006 at 15:28:26 PM UTC

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