Issue Position: The Environment

Issue Position

Climate change is a reality and 2014 was the hottest year on record. Yet the State of New Jersey has pulled out of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, an agreement among 9 of our neighboring states meant to curb emissions of carbon dioxide. I believe that it is time to reverse that decision and join with surrounding states in the protection of our precious environment.

I also know that protecting our environment and creating jobs work together. The growth in sustainable clean sources of energy is already creating jobs and fostering new innovation in our universities. We must support these innovations and jobs with policies that promote growth and make New Jersey a leader in new technologies.

Our thriving tourism industry depends on a clean ocean, beautiful parks and open spaces. One of the most important factors in a company's decision on where to locate is the quality of life for its employees. A clean and healthy environment is a big factor in that calculation. And yes, we are the Garden State so we must protect our farms from further development and foster our farm economy.

New Jersey has come a long way in protecting our fragile environment since the establishment of the Department of Environmental Protection in 1970. Our state had a terrible history of looking the other way while industrial polluters had a field day. Thousands of acres were covered with garbage, and our rivers were filthy. Much of that damage has been remediated, but there are still remnants of that history. I support strong enforcement against those who have desecrated our landscapes.

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