For Immediate Release
Contact: Jackie Greger, Jackie.Greger@sierraclub.org
Clean Energy Action Now hosted rally to demand a 100% clean energy future by 2035
Over 30 environmental advocates joined to support New Jersey’s clean energy future
Trenton, NJ - Members of Clean Energy Action Now (CLEAN), a campaign dedicated to increasing awareness of the health, economic and climate benefits of an equitable clean energy future, hosted a rally ahead of a joint Senate Environment and Energy Committee and Assembly Utilities and Telecommunications Committee Hearing where Senator Bob Smith’s 100% clean energy bill, S237/A1480 was up for a committee discussion.
Over 30 environmental, labor, environmental justice and clean energy organizations from across New Jersey joined together to champion for the continued accelerated adoption of New Jersey’s clean energy future.
Achieving 100% clean energy by 2035 will create thousands of family sustaining jobs, deliver clean air, and lower energy costs for millions of New Jersey residents. As more New Jersey residents continue to upgrade to electric heat pumps and electric vehicles, the emissions reductions of these clean energy technologies will grow as the electricity consumed becomes cleaner.
Statements:
“Everyday, we feel the increasing urgency of the climate crisis, and today New Jerseyans showed up to demand action and a just transition to 100% clean energy by 2035. A diverse group of residents, activists, workers, community and justice organizations, and youth came out to voice their support for the new clean energy standard on the steps of the statehouse. Together, we are powerful, and the New Jersey Sierra Club is proud to be among the many who are calling on the Legislature to act now and be the leader we know New Jersey can be in the movement for climate action and clean energy. To them we ask, could you hear us?" - Anjuli Ramos-Busot, New Jersey State Director for the Sierra Club.
“Enshrining our commitment to 100% clean energy by 2035 into law will save lives and is one of the most important pieces of legislation to protect the environment New Jersey will ever consider. A 100% clean energy future means improved health outcomes for communities overburdened with pollution, new good-union jobs in growing clean energy industries, and an overwhelming reduction in carbon pollution to help mitigate climate change,” said Ed Potosnak, Executive Director, New Jersey LCV. “Governor Murphy with his executive order of the goal of 100% clean energy by 2035 put New Jersey at the forefront of the fight against climate change. Now we need it codified into law as we step up our efforts to protect our communities from the impacts."
Ed Potosnak, New Jersey League of Conservation Voters Executive Director
“Young people won’t settle for anything less than transforming our society for the better to save our planet, that includes transitioning to 100% clean and renewable energy and holding polluters accountable to tackle the systemic problems that got us here in the first place. We will not let fossil fuel companies spend our future on today’s profits.’ - Hana Katz, Policy and Project Manager, Association of NJ Environmental Commissions (ANJEC)
“With a burgeoning Offshore Wind Industry on the Eastern coast of the United States, it is imperative for New Jersey to open its doors for employment, sustainability, and equity, that will create a smooth energy transition. Equity that will reduce pollution and costs, continuing the journey toward environmental and energy justice in our state. There is an entire ecosystem of careers that will spring from developing clean, green energy, while mitigating adverse health conditions for all New Jerseyans, especially the most vulnerable residents of our state. We deserve a healthier environment for all New Jerseyans.” - Sharonda Allen, NJ Progressive Equitable Energy Coalition (NJPEEC).
“Our planet and all living things are sacred and must be protected. The current destruction of our world is an offense to our beliefs and our wellbeing. It is preventing us from living in harmony with the Earth and each other. 100% clean energy standards offers us all a clear pathway to tread and a moral compass towards a world we all dream to live in. We are in absolute support of 100% CES for New Jersey!” - Oluwatosin Kolawole, Greenfaith.
"It is beyond time for New Jersey's leaders to listen to the community, labor, health, faith, equity, environment, and business groups calling for 100% Clean Energy by 2035! We want truly independent, New Jersey-based clean electricity to power our homes, schools and businesses. We need clean energy sources that don’t pollute the air of our children and vulnerable family members. We're calling on New Jersey lawmakers to prioritize the 11,000 well-paying clean jobs expected to be created every year during this clean energy transition. We need clean energy now!"- Nicole Miller, MnM Consulting and Clean Energy Jobs NJ.
Nicole Miller, MnM Consulting and Clean Energy Jobs NJ
“The question is: How many deaths from fossil fuel pollution are just too much? And how small a number is acceptable? There is no question that deaths result from fossil fuel pollution & climate change. A commonly quoted, and conservative, estimate from WHO is that 1 in 5 premature deaths are caused by fossil fuel pollution. In NJ, over 17,600 deaths annually are directly linked to air pollution based on research from Harvard School of Public Health. We have to see clean energy as a public health initiative which can protect our children, our families, and our communities now and into the future.” - Dr. Elizabeth Cerceo, an internal medicine physician and associate professor of medicine, Director of Climate Health at CMSRU and member of Clinicians for Climate Action NJ.
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