Yesterday, the Star Ledger ran an excellent editorial on the “Regional Green House Gas Initiative” (RGGI) “Too many flaws in greenhouse gas bill“
I agree with much of the reasoning, and especially applaud the conclusion:
“Unfortunately, the proposed RGGI law being rushed through Trenton’s lame-duck legislative session reflects a miserable New Jersey political tradition. Every special interest imaginable has reached in to grab a share of the money or other benefits….
Gov. Jon Corzine’s administration is anxious to pass an RGGI bill so New Jersey can show its commitment to the regional consortium. But the current bill carries too much baggage”.
Read more…
*[Updated below]
I was baffled by yesterday’s Bergen Record story that reported that NJ Senator Frank Lautenberg and activists had declared victory on chemical plant safety legislation:
“”New Jersey activists and officials declared victory Thursday in a fight to prevent the federal government from superseding state rules on chemical plant security.
The new law does allow Homeland Security to override state rules if there’s “an actual conflict” with federal measures. (See: “Chemical plant measure hailed as victory”
http://www.northjersey.com/page.php?qstr=eXJpcnk3ZjczN2Y3dnFlZUVFeXkzJmZnYmVsN2Y3dnFlZUVFeXk3MjM4NjE5JnlyaXJ5N2Y3MTdmN3ZxZWVFRXl5Mg
Now wait a minute – how could a law that expressly provides for federal pre-emption possibly be described as a victory?
So, I did some digging and here’s what I found:
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Magicians – like pick pockets, three card monty artists, and politicians – are able to pull off tricks because they are masters of deception and diversion: the left had diverts your attention while the right hand picks your pocket.
While no one expects the press to cover street level flim flam artists, we all do expect that they will expose (and certainly not cover for) the frauds and diversion of the politicians in Trenton.
So, with that expectation in mind, let’s examine just one recent episode that I view as part of a disturbing and expanding pattern (there are several more examples I will write about that fit this pattern).
Try this one out for size: At the same time Governor Corzine and DEP Commissioner Lisa Jackson were touting their leadership in reducing global warming green house gas emissions and commitments to clean air for Warren County residents, DEP quietly increased the capacity of the Warren County garbage incinerator by 22%. Not only that, but DEP denied the request of the Warren County Environmental Commission to hold a public hearing on the unilateral DEP permit modification to approve the increase (a most convenient way to avoid critical public scrutiny from pesky environmental advocates and the press).
More burned garbage translates directly into more global warming emissions, more air pollution in Warren County, and less recycling – exactly the opposite of what the Governor and DEP Commissioner claim to be trying to achieve.
Read more…
This morning the Star Ledger reports breaking news that
“Firefighters are still battling a large blaze at the Griner tire facility in Cumberland County, which officials say was first reported late Saturday night.”
Tire pile fires poison air and water quality, and pose serious public health and safety threats.
This fire was totally preventable. It sheds light on another longstanding deficit and lax oversight by the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).
Regulation of tire piles is not a local issue. According to DEP’s own records, there are at least 18 ” major” illegal tire piles in New Jersey, mostly in South Jersey. This list includes the tire pile now on fire in Cumberland County (see Table E-3
http://www.nj.gov/dep/dshw/recycling/swmp/doc/section_e_06.doc
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The Star Ledger editorial today “A Right to Chemical Security” begs many questions and poorly serves readers.
As discussed below, the editorial’s focus on the federal pre-emption issue obfuscates the real issues and reinforces misunderstandings about New Jersey’s’ state level chemical plant security rules.
The editorial also fails to hold Governor Corzine accountable for a voluntary chemical plant safety policy that directly contradicts the mandatory policy he advocated as a US Senator and as a candidate for governor.
Read more…
The guys in ski masks with Uzi’s weren’t parading on the tarmac demanding a flight to Cuba.
They were wearing $600 suits, talking on cell phones, packing Bradbury’s, and asking legislators for amendments to the bill.
This was the latest Trenton spectacle yesterday, before the Senate Economic Growth Committee on a substitute version of Senate global warming bill No. 2976 (Sweeney/Smith)
http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/2006/Bills/S3000/2976_I1.HTM
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Bill WolfeFormer EPA Administrator Christie Whitman testifies before House Judiciary Committee investigating her misleading post 9/11 statements that the air around ground zero was safe Yesterday, the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform issued a devastating Report: “Political Interference with Climate Change Science Under the Bush Administration” http://oversight.house.gov/documents/20071210101633.pdf
The Report provides a rare inside look and detailed blow by blow account of exactly how the Bush Administration corrupted government and science to serve the interests of its oil and energy industry corporate backers.
The Report provides dozens of examples of how EPA Administrator Whitman rolled over and allowed Bush political hacks to dictate EPA science and law.
The Report serves as a virtual indictment of the the failures of leadership and professional integrity of major NJ political players: former Governor Christie Whitman and her legal counsel, Bob Fabricant, who she took to Washington and named EPA Chief Counsel.
How could such a critically important and poliiically juicy story go completely unreported in NJ press and political outlets?
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One Star-Ledger story today contained not one – but two – quotes of the day – straight out of the Twilight Zone: “Doria: Eco-rules should not block affordable housing
DEP seeking limits on developable land”
“There are people in the environmental community who want New Jersey to become one big green acre,” he [Assemblyman Jerry Green (D-Union)] said, referring to the state’s open space preservation program.”
Earth to Assemblyman Green (no pun intended with that name, eh Jerry?):
One Big Green Acre?
Perhaps Assemblyman Green doesn’t get out often, but New Jersey is becoming one giant housing development, strip mall, parking lot. Roads are gridlocked. Farms and forests are vanishing. Most streams and lakes are too polluted to fish or swim in. Even modest rainfalls cause localized flooding and chaos.
Read more…