The New Jersey Legislature approved a measure yesterday that would make the state the second in the nation to have a greenhouse gas emission reduction law.
The "Global Warming Response Act" passed both the state House and Senate with overwhelming support. It would mandate a reduction in emissions to 1990 levels by 2020 and an 80 percent cut by 2050.
The bill is under review by Gov. Jon Corzine (D), who is expected to sign it into law.
A spokeswoman for the governor said he "likes the bill" but needed to look it over. The measure closely mirrors an executive order Corzine issued in January (Michael Rispoli, Cherry Hill [N.J.] Courier-Post).
Supporters of the bill said they realized New Jersey's emissions cuts would only make a small difference on a global level but said the state's initiative could inspire others to follow in its footsteps. California has already enacted an emission reduction bill.
"In the absence of leadership on the federal level, the burden of reducing greenhouse gases has now fallen upon the states," said Lilo Stainton, spokeswoman for Corzine. "This legislation ... will make New Jersey a national leader in combating global warming."
The bill faced opposition from some climate skeptics, notably Assemblyman Michael J. Doherty (R).
"The Earth has warmed up and cooled down hundreds of times ... The debate is not over," Doherty said.
Some energy companies also questioned how a move to renewables might affect customer's gas prices, and said New Jersey should not move ahead of the rest of the nation on the issue (Nussbaum/Young, Bergen [N.J.] Record).
It remains unclear what measures the state will take to combat global warming. Although the bill sets reduction goals, it does not specify how they will be met. It instructs the Environmental Protection Department to work with other state agencies over the next year in order to devise ways to meet the 2020 emission reduction goals (Anthony DePalma, New York Times). (All cites June 22.) -- KB
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