Community Solar Program Makes Big Strides
The Big Win: New Law Sets Recycling Standards
Murphy Forces PVSC to Reconsider Fossil Fuel Plant
In early January, Gov. Phil Murphy intervened with the Passaic Valley Sewerage Commission (PVSC) to prevent a vote on construction of an 84-megawatt, backup, fossil fuel–powered generation plant. The move will force the PVSC to reflect more deeply on opportunities for renewable energy alternatives and pay greater heed to the state’s environmental justice commitments.
The NJ Chapter Tackles PFAS Contamination
In 2020 the NJ Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) adopted strict drinking water standards for three chemicals in the per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) family. Many NJ water systems soon found they were exceeding the new standard. In 2021, 74 water systems exceeded the state’s maximum contaminant level. This has contributed to increasing concern about PFAS chemicals in New Jersey.
A New Outlook
Chapter Director's Message
By Anjuli Ramos-Busot, anjuli.ramos@sierraclub.org
This is a moment of transformation and growth for the Chapter, and I am excited to be part of it. I come to the Sierra Club with a background in climate change science and air quality. I earned my Bachelor of Science in chemistry from the University of Puerto Rico before getting my Master of Science in environmental chemistry and air pollution science and technology from Rutgers University. I previously volunteered with the NJ Chapter of the Sierra Club as the Air Quality Issues Coordinator—one of many reasons why I’m so excited to be back as the new Chapter Director!
A New Chapter Director Brings a New Chapter for Our Chapter!
Chapter Chair's Message
By Richard Isaac, Richard.Isaac@Sierraclub.org
A few months into our Hiring Committee’s search for a new Chapter Director, I took part in a one-hour training webinar on recruitment that proved invaluable. In the webinar I was advised that it was perfectly fine to call potential job candidates and ask them to apply. Using that incredibly helpful advice, I thought of individuals I had interacted with regarding the environment over the last several years and then reached out to a few and asked if they were interested in the position. Among those was one who had volunteered with our Chapter for several months before the NJ Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) realized her value and snatched her away.
Be The Tiger: Take Charge of Your Energy Transition
Conservation Chair's Message
By Greg Gorman, ggorman@embargmail.com
According to the Chinese zodiac, this is the Year of the Tiger, and climate activists would do well to embrace the characteristics of the tiger: bravery, assertiveness, and dominance. Clearly, the escalating impacts of carbon pollution—extreme weather events, massive wildfires, and retreat of ice sheets in Antarctic and Greenland—demand that activists embrace these qualities. “Given our delays in addressing climate change, we must now commit to completely transforming our energy supply and demand—end game decarbonization,” said Saul Griffith in his “playbook” for a clean energy future. Just as the tiger will take on animals much larger than itself, we need to grapple with the massive fossil fuel industry.
Together We Are Powerful
When you open the homepage for the national Sierra Club, you are greeted with graphics and images representing the many climate and environmental concerns that our organization champions. You also see a simple block of text with a not-so-simple message. The bold heading “Together, We Are Powerful” is followed by these words: “This country belongs to all of us. Together, we can help deepen the movement for a liveable planet, safe communities, and a democracy that works for everyone.” It’s not too difficult to visualize the Sierra Club mobilizing for a liveable planet with safe communities. But what does democracy have to do with our mission?
Less Smog to Come From School Buses and Trucks
Our Chapter’s Transportation Committee was instrumental in achieving some major victories in the fight to reduce the transportation sector’s carbon footprint. Our campaign to electrify the state’s 22,000 school buses helped get legislation passed in both the Assembly and Senate, but time ran out to reconcile the differences in the two bills before the end of the legislative session on January 10. However, we are working with the two prime sponsors, Sen. Patrick Diegnan Jr. and Asm. Sterley S. Stanley, both Democrats from the 18th District, so that $15 million in annual funding is included in next fiscal year’s budget.
Let’s Enjoy More of the Nighttime Sky
Light Pollution and Night Skies Chair's Report
Jonathan Wall, docjdwall@gmail.com
We need to shed light on the issue of light pollution. One of the newest committees formed by the New Jersey Chapter is the Light Pollution and Nights Skies Committee. We plan to advocate for statutes and ordinances that regulate lighting so we all can start enjoying the night skies once again and mitigate the adverse effects on wildlife and human health.
ExComm Meeting Highlights
There was no Chapter Executive Committee meeting in December. Instead, we held a brief virtual get-together to welcome our new Chapter Director, Anjuli Ramos-Busot. The meeting was well attended and we are excited to work with her going forward.
NJ Is Making Progress Toward Its Wind Energy Generation Targets
Offshore Wind Committee Report
By Alexandra Horn and Denise Brush, offshorewind@newjersey.sierraclub.org
There are currently three offshore wind (OSW) projects slated to be built off the coast of New Jersey, with more to come! Ocean Wind I and II will be adjacent to one another off the coast of Atlantic City and stretching toward Cape May; and Atlantic Shores will be just north of those wind farms, reaching toward Barnegat Light. Combined, the projects will supply enough energy to power over 1.7 million NJ homes. Gov. Phil Murphy has pledged to create 7500 MW of energy from OSW, which would power 3.5 million homes. Our state is well on its way to achieving this ambitious goal; Ocean Wind I and II and Atlantic Shores combined would represent the largest OSW center in the United States. We could soon be a national leader in offshore wind.
DEP Draft Emissions Rules Fall Short
Each year in New Jersey, over 100 million metric tons (MMT) of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) greenhouse gases pour into the atmosphere from industry, generating plants, heating systems, and the transportation sector. The state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has formulated draft rules to curb these emissions, but these fall well short of what is needed. The rules would affect fossil fuel–fired electricity generating plants, commercial and industrial fossil fuel–fired boilers, and use of No. 4 and No. 6 fuel oils. Among fossil fuel plants, gas–fired generators contribute 83% of the state’s total CO2e emissions.
What Blows in the Wind and Retires in May?
Question: What happens to thin plastic carry-out bags and paper carry-out bags on May 4, 2022?
Answer: Banned!
This ban is strictly for the thin plastic bags used at retail stores and restaurants to carry out items and does not include trash bags, in-store bags for loose food items (eg, fruits, vegetables, grains, meats, fish), small bags sold in multiple packs (eg, resealable), bags for prescription drugs, bags for meat or fish, and newspaper or garment bags.
Electric Vehicles Will Make Fossil Fools of Fossil Fuels – Eventually
A tidal wave of electric vehicles (EVs) is heading our way, but will they reduce overall carbon emissions and other pollutants? It’s complicated. In 2020, there were some 276 million registered vehicles in the United States. About 1.4 million were EVs and 5.4 million, hybrids. However, last year EV sales were about 9% of global car sales, and although estimates of global EV passenger vehicle sales by 2030 vary widely (18% to 48% of total sales), sales clearly are expected to grow rapidly.
Opinion: Why Does Nature Feel So Natural to Us?
Why are Sierrans, other environmentalists, and most of humanity so concerned about protecting nature? There may be as many reasons as there are thoughtful people, but why do we have this feeling at all?
Help Make the Water Gap a National Park!
Efforts by the New Jersey and Pennsylvania Chapters of the Sierra Club to have the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area redesignated as a national park and preserve are gaining steam. This area deserves national park status. Filled with scenic wonders and historical artifacts, it also protects a portion of the homeland of the Lenape people.