Sierra Club releases questionnaire, starts endorsement process

For Immediate Release
March 23, 2009 Contact: Jeff Tittel, Chapter Director

(609) 558-9100

Trenton, NJ - The New Jersey Sierra Club this week released its 2009 legislative questionnaire, which prioritizes the top environmental issues of the upcoming election season. The questionnaire is the first step in the Sierra Club's endorsement process.

"This year's the questionnaire is particularly important, because the current legislative session has been one of the bleakest in years when it comes environmental protection," said NJ Sierra Club Director Jeff Tittel. "Not one piece of new environmental legislation has passed so far in this session, while a number of bills weakening protections have been approved."

This legislative session saw the passing of environmentally harmful bills such as the Permit Extension Act, the License Site Professional bill, the permitting of Sunday hunting, and RGGI, which the Sierra Club opposed because it was laden with pork and lacking funding for clean energy programs. There was also an attempt last year to close state parks, along with deep cuts to DEP's budget and staff even though dedicated funds exist for many of the positions slated for elimination. This is the first time in 48 years that New Jersey finds itself completely depleted of funds for the purchase of open space.

This legislature is the first in decades that has not enacted any significant environmental laws. In 1999, the open space bill was approved. In 2001, Clean Cars passed. In 2004, the Highlands Act was enacted. In 2005, the Diesel Retrofit law passed. In 2006, the legislature approved a stable source of funding for parks and in 2007 the Global Warming Response Act was enacted in addition to the electronic waste recycling program.

"We would have to rate this as the worst legislative session for the environment in the past 15 years," Tittel said. "In fact, this legislature has been so poor on the environment that we're seeing bills rejected during the Whitman years, where there was a Republican-controlled legislature, being passed under the Democrats."

Since the Global Warming Response Act was enacted in 2007, the legislature has not passed any major laws that would carry out the goals outlined in the act, excluding RGGI, which the Sierra Club opposed.

"That is why our top priorities are to pass legislation that would implement the Global Warming Response Act," Tittel said. "That includes implementing green building laws, establishing appliance standards, enacting a trip reduction program, and designating secure funds for open space."

Rich Isaac, the Chapter's Political Chair said: "Here in New Jersey, just about all the candidates like to say they care about the environment, but often talk in generalities. While our questionnaire allows for candidates to offer their own suggestions, it is also quite specific about particular issues such as creating a stable source of funding for preserving open space so that we can see - and share with the public - if the candidates are really serious about protecting our water supply, air quality, and remaining natural areas."

Once the questionnaires are returned by the candidates, the Sierra Club will conduct interviews. An endorsement will follow the interviews. To get the green housekeeping seal of approval, the candidate needs a two-thirds majority vote among the club's Executive Committee and Political Committee.

Kara Seymour, Program Assistant NJ Sierra Club

145 W. Hanover Street Trenton, NJ 08618

609.656.7612

(f) 609.656.7618

<http://www.newjersey.sierraclub.org> www.newjersey.sierraclub.org

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