This is the second article in a continuing series by the NRDC Action Fund on the environmental stances of candidates in key races around the country.
Today we're looking at New Jersey's 3rd Congressional District, stretching from the Philadelphia suburbs in the west, across the undeveloped Pine Barrens (the country's first National Reserve) to the Jersey Shore. In 2008, longtime state Senator John Adler was elected to his first term in Congress, winning the seat vacated by retiring 12-term Republican Congressman Jim Saxton. In November, Adler will be challenged by Republican Jon Runyan, a former offensive lineman for the Philadelphia Eagles.
A number of current and former New Jersey Republican Congressmen have been environmental champions - including Jim Saxton - but Runyan seems unlikely to follow in their footsteps. Despite playing for one of the greenest teams in professional sports, Runyan has been taking anti-environmental stands on the campaign trail. He has voiced support for drilling off of New Jersey's shore, echoing Sarah Palin's "all-of-the-above" approach to energy policy. He has been repeating the right-wing Heritage Foundation's fuzzy math about the American Clean Energy and Security Act (ACES). Runyan claims that ACES will cost "$1,870 for a family of four," when in truth, according to the nonpartisan, unbiased experts at the Congressional Budget Office, it will cost "about $175 per household."
Rep. Adler, on the other hand, has a long history as an environmental champion. In the New Jersey Senate, he sponsored the state's Clean Cars Act and co-sponsored its landmark Global Warming Response Act.
In his first year in Congress, Adler received an impressive 93% rating from the League of Conservation Voters (LCV), which means he voted the right way at nearly every opportunity. Most notably, Adler voted for the American Clean Energy and Security Act (ACES) calling it "historic legislation" that will "spur the development of new sources of energy while confronting the threat of carbon pollution." He added, ACES "will lower energy costs and create new jobs for New Jersey families and small businesses....This bill will make America safer. It is time that we stop sending money to Middle Eastern countries that fund terrorist activities. Furthermore, by preserving God's earth, our children and grandchildren can continue to fish, enjoy the outdoors and breathe clean air."
The NRDC Action Fund believes that it is important for the public in general, and the voters of specific Congressional districts, be aware of this information as they weigh their choices for November.
It's no secret; our economy is struggling. The troubles on Wall Street have rebounded to Main Street, as declining stocks have devastated some retirement accounts. Unemployment is rising; wages are stagnant. And as our President-elect Barack Obama has said, it will likely get worse before it gets better.
Here in New Jersey, we're facing a truly urgent economic moment. And as a story in yesterday's Asbury Park Press explored, the solution may lie in emerging green industries that promote energy efficiency and power from renewable sources. If haven't read this story, I urge you to click here. It's a great article that ties together the potential for green jobs to help both our economy and our environment.
With the economy in tatters, hitting blue-collar and white-collar workers alike, there's a push for more workers who wear another colored collar.
The color is green.
"This is an opportunity to take a problem in terms of the economy and the work force and marry it to something that can be something great, like green renewable energy, green jobs," said Assemblywoman Pamela R. Lampitt, D-Camden, during a panel at last week's 2008 Governor's Conference on Workforce & Economic Development in Atlantic City.
Still, there are some who don't believe that we need to pursue a green economy here in New Jersey. I couldn't disagree more. I believe those who criticize the potential of green jobs fail to grasp the urgency of the moment we're in.
The truth is the renewable energy industry is already benefitting New Jersey and becoming a vital part of our economy. More and more high-tech firms are making their homes here. According to the John J. Heldrich Center for Workforce Development at Rutgers, New Jersey ranks behind only California as the nation's leading host for solar firms.
Years ago, New Jersey made a commitment to invest in a budding pharmaceutical research industry; today, New Jersey is a global leader , the "World's Medicine Chest. " Aggressively positioning New Jersey as a hub for green-collar jobs will not only combat global warming and ensure we pass on a healthy environment to our children and grandchildren, but leave them with a stronger economy, as well.
As the Center for American Progress and the Political Economy Research Institute at the University of Massachusetts estimates, New Jersey could create more than 57,000 jobs through investments in alternative energies, among other green initiatives. By supporting green education and workforce training, New Jersey will be better positioned to attract more green industry to our state.
New Jersey's goal of producing 22.5 percent of the state?s energy through renewable energy sources by 2021 will take massive investments by cutting-edge companies. We should help these firms through stronger tax incentives for, and investment in solar, wind, hydroelectric, biomass, geothermal, and other renewable power sources.
For our economy, our environment, and our future, investing in renewable energy is an opportunity we can't afford to miss.
UPDATE: Whoops, I almost forgot to include this video, produced by the Assembly Majority Office, in which I talk about green jobs:
