Gusciora Asks Christie to Reconsider Withdrawl from RGGI

Assemblyman Reed Gusciora (D-Mercer) on Friday asked Gov. Chris Christie to reconsider pulling New Jersey out of the Regional Greenhouse Green Initiative, following a report that ranked the state as the fifth smoggiest in the nation.

"This report has exposed a problem that is worse than the public thought," Gusciora said. "According to media reports, the research shows there was an increase in days last year when residents living in New Jersey's smoggiest areas were exposed to smog levels dangerous to breathe. The governor, in his defense of pulling us out of RGGI, has denounced RGGI as ineffective in reducing carbon dioxide emissions. What if he's wrong? He's gambling with our health and that's not right."

The report, "Danger in the Air: Unhealthy Air Days in 2010 and 2011", was released by Environment New Jersey, a statewide, citizen-based environmental advocacy organization.

The report also ranked the following counties among the top 20 smoggiest areas in the country: Camden County and the city of Philadelphia ranked 8th; Monmouth and Ocean Counties ranked 15th; Middlesex, Somerset and Hunterdon Counties ranked 17th; and Trenton ranked 20th.

Gov. Christie announced in May that New Jersey would become the first state to withdraw from RGGI, created to cut power plant emissions of carbon dioxide and pay for renewable energy project. The Assembly passed a Senate bill to force New Jersey to stay in RGGI, but not with enough votes to override a veto.

"It's disconcerting how the governor can unilaterally pull out of RGGI without legislative approval," Gusciora said. "Furthermore, how does this premature exit not conflict with the mandate handed to us by the global warming response bill to reduce greenhouse gas emissions?"