New Jersey Gov. Jon S. Corzine signed an executive order yesterday that commits the state to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by 2020. The order requires that be reduced to 80% below 2006 levels by 2050. The State Department of Environmental Protection will monitor progress toward these goals; the Department of the Treasury has been directed to create targets and implementation strategies over the next six months.
NGO US PIRG said the fact that the New Jersey Global Warming Response Act requires mandatory caps on all global warming emissions from all sources statewide, is especially important.
They emphasized the importance of not importing coal-fired electricity from nearby states. In nearby Pennsylvania, TXU Energy has proposed building two to three conventional coal-fired power plants. If these plants are constructed, they will wipe out all of the global warming emissions reductions in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative. Another threat is American Electric Power’s proposed $3 billion 765-kv transmission line that would pump in dirty energy from West Virginia to New Jersey.
One tool to avoid this potential problem is to require a global warming emissions standard for all electricity imported to New Jersey.
State Economy-Wide Global Warming Initiatives
· New Jersey Executive Order: Sets a goal to reduce emissions by 20% percent below current levels by 2020 (1990 levels) and 80% below current levels by 2050. Governor Corzine also looks forward to working with the state legislature to pass the New Jersey Global Warming Response Act (A3301/S2114), establishing mandatory caps on emissions to below 1990 levels by 2020.
· California Global Warming Solutions Act (AB 32) and Executive Order AB32 caps emissions at 2000 levels by 2010, 1990 levels by 2020. Governor Schwarzenegger’s Executive Order also sets a goal of 80% emissions reductions by 2050.
· Arizona Executive Order Sets a goal to reduce emissions to 2000 Levels by 2020 and to 50% below 2000 levels by 2040.
· New Mexico Executive Order Set a goal to reduce emissions to 2000 levels by 2012, 10% below 2000 levels by 2020, and a 75% reduction below 2000 emission levels by 2050.
· Washington Executive Order Sets a goal to reduce emissions to 1990 levels by 2020, 25% below 1990 levels by 2035 and 50% below 1990 levels by 2050.
· New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers Climate Change Action Plan Sets a goal to reduce emissions to 1990 levels by 2010, 10% below 1990 levels by 2020 and by 75-85% in the long term. New England States in various stages of complying with agreement. Connecticut, Maine and Massachusetts have unveiled plans. Rhode Island stakeholder group released a comprehensive plan.
· West Coast Governors’ Plan commitment to act individually and regionally to reduce greenhouse gas emissions “below current levels”. California takes lead. Serious efforts underway in Oregon and Washington to follow.
· North Carolina Legislative Commission on Global Warming charged with proposing recommendations, no specific targets.
· Illinois Global Warming Initiative Stakeholder process established, expected targets to be announced tomorrow.
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