State of New Jersey secondary Archives: on Energy & Oil


Bob Hugin: Energy independence: solar & wind, plus domestic oil & gas

Bob is a strong proponent of American energy independence and supports a multi-faceted energy strategy that includes more domestic production of oil and natural gas and continued support of nuclear power, which currently provides nearly 40% of net electricity generation. He also backs investment in renewable energy sources like solar and wind. Bob opposes all drilling off the east coast. It's bad for the environment and the risk is far too high for our successful fishing and tourism industries.
Source: 2018 New Jersey Senate campaign website BobHugin.com Jun 21, 2018

Bob Hugin: Climate change is human-caused, but Paris Accord is unfair

Q: Consider human activity the major factor driving climate change? Limit or tax production of greenhouse gases? Support US participation in Paris Climate Accord despite President Trump's withdrawal?

Robert Hugin (R): Mixed. "Climate change is real. Humans play a role." Also gave $500,000 to Heritage Foundation, which rejects the significance of human-caused climate change & opposes regulations to address it. Says Paris Accord "unfairly balanced." Didn't support it as written.

Robert Menendez (D): Yes. "[W]e, as a global community, have to cut our greenhouse gas emissions & the US must be at the forefront of that effort." Called withdrawal from Paris Accord a rejection of science.

Q: Support government subsidies or support for renewables?

Hugin: Mixed. Supports research in areas like battery technology, but not direct subsidies that pick winners & losers.

Menendez: Yes. Has supported expanding renewable energy credits by cutting oil company tax breaks.

Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on New Jersey Senate race Oct 9, 2018

Bonnie Watson Coleman: Common-sense, sustainable solar & wind

Reducing our fossil fuel dependence will make America a stronger, safer place to live. Bonnie Watson Coleman led the way for New Jersey to invest in energy efficient appliances long before the green revolution took root. Now, she continues that mission of promoting common-sense, sustainable energy policies through solar, wind, and cutting our dependence on fossil fuels.
Source: 2014 New Jersey House campaign website BonnieForCongress.com Oct 10, 2014

Cory Booker: Sustainability programs: slow growth of carbon footprint

As Mayor, I quickly worked to implement sustainability programs that created green jobs, slowed the growth of our carbon footprint, and saved millions of dollars by driving down energy costs.

In 2008, I created Newark's first Office of Sustainability and organized a "Green Future Summit" that brought additional structure to our efforts. In 2013, we released Newark's first ever Sustainability Action Plan, which provides a comprehensive roadmap for making Newark a greener, healthier and more vibrant city. More importantly, these programs have delivered concrete results that will continue to benefit Newarkers long after I leave office.

Source: 2013-2014 New Jersey Senate campaign web CoryBooker.com Nov 3, 2013

Cory Booker: Eliminate unfair subsidies for oil and ga

As your Senator, I will work tirelessly to ensure that the United States is a world leader in the green economy, and that we address global warming before it is too late. My priorities will include:A healthy environment is in everyone's interest; Democrats, Republicans, and Independents all breathe the same air. As Mayor I brought people together--from business, government and the community--to address local and regional environmental concerns, and will carry the same approach with me to Washington to tackle our federal challenges.
Source: 2013-2014 New Jersey Senate campaign web CoryBooker.com Nov 3, 2013

Hirsh Singh: Against switch over to high-risk energy systems

Instead of raising taxes to pay for their socialist agenda, New Jersey Democrats passed a law mandating our utility providers switch over to high-risk energy systems. Now, they're planning to pass those costs to you--through higher utility rates. New Jersey taxpayers will be forced to pay at least $300 million per year for energy subsidies, thanks to one of Gov. Murphy's mandates. What's happening to us right now is abuse of the most extreme kind--and New Jersey Democrats simply don't care.
Source: 2020 New Jersey Senate campaign website HirshSingh.com Jun 11, 2020

Jack Ciattarelli: Should accelerate use of natural gas, not phase it out

Calling for the complete phase-out affordable natural gas--which heats about 75% of New Jersey homes--is a disaster. Like other 'green new deal' proposals, the Governor's plan isn't based on any thorough economic analysis. We are in a period of unprecedented natural gas exploration and extraction, leading our nation to true energy independence. We should be accelerating our energy evolution towards natural gas, not away from it, while leveraging zero-emissions nuclear power along the way.
Source: 2020-21 New Jersey governor campaign website Jack4NJ.com Apr 2, 2020

Jeff Bell: No subsidies for wind and solar

Question topic: Governments should pay to develop wind and solar energy solutions when these are not economically feasible.

Bell: Strongly Disagree

Source: Faith2Action iVoterGuide on 2014 New Jersey Senate race Sep 30, 2014

Joe Kyrillos: Don't require disclosure of renewables on electric bills

Excerpts from legislation: S 1707: Requires Increased Use of Renewable Energy This bill requires the percentage of renewable electricity sold in the State to increase once every five energy years between 2015 and 2050: from 11% in 2015 to 80% in 2050 percent of the electricity sold.

Legislative outcome:Kyrillos voted NAY; Bill passed Senate 23-15-2; bill died in House.

Source: New Jersey legislative voting records: S 1707 Mar 14, 2016

Joe Rullo: Repeal the 23-cent gas tax

I will eliminate tolls and repeal the gas tax with the savings from the new efficient transparent highway entity. I will also eliminate $1.3 billion in pension fees to NYC politically connected brokerage houses and replace with licensed brokers in the state investors division to pay towards pension payment.

As Governor I will repeal the $.23 gas tax, and dissolve the transportation SLUSH fund.

Source: 2017 New Jersey Gubernatorial campaign website Rullo2017.com Jan 17, 2017

Kim Guadagno: Favor wind turbines on Jersey coast

The stance most likely to alienate the Republican base was her position on climate change. Guadagno said she would support the installation of wind turbines along the coast. "We could be the first offshore wind-turbine producer from soup to nuts," she said.
Source: Newark Star-Ledger on 2017 New Jersey governor race Aug 9, 2017

Murray Sabrin: No subsidies for wind and solar

Question topic: Governments should pay to develop wind and solar energy solutions when these are not economically feasible.

Sabrin: Strongly Disagree

Source: Faith2Action iVoterGuide on 2014 New Jersey Senate race Jul 2, 2014

Phil Murphy: Raise gas tax to renew Transportation Trust Fund

Raise the gas tax (begrudgingly) to fund TTF: "I think it stinks," Murphy said. "But I've been on record for over two years: We have to raise the gas tax."

Raising the state's 14.5-cent gasoline tax, second-lowest in the country, has been identified by most as the only way to renew the state's Transportation Trust Fund, currently unable to pay for anything other than debt service.

While it's not a "perfect match," he suggested raising the Earned Income Tax Credit--a popular credit among working class families--to 40 percent. Increasing that tax credit has been a part of multiple TTF plans proposed over the last few months. Raising the gas tax "is aggressive so it bothers the heck out of me," Murphy said. "But I hope we can find ways to cushion the blow." But doing so would come with instant employment opportunities--thousands of construction workers are out of work due to Christie's mandated transportation work stoppage--and provide a needed investment in infrastructure, Murphy said.

Source: Asbury Park Press on 2017 New Jersey Gubernatorial race Aug 31, 2016

Phil Murphy: It stinks, but raise the gas tax to fund transportation

Raise the gas tax (begrudgingly) to fund TTF: "I think it stinks," Murphy said. "But I've been on record for over two years: We have to raise the gas tax." Raising the state's 14.5-cent gasoline tax, second-lowest in the country, has been identified by most as the only way to renew the state's Transportation Trust Fund, currently unable to pay for anything other than debt service.

A gasoline tax hike has become wildly unpopular in New Jersey, even at Murphy's event: There was only a smattering of applause when he called for the tax to be raised. Raising the gas tax "is aggressive so it bothers the heck out of me," Murphy said. "But I hope we can find ways to cushion the blow." Doing so would come with instant employment opportunities--thousands of construction workers are out of work due to Christie's mandated transportation work stoppage--and provide a needed investment in infrastructure, Murphy said.

Source: Asbury Park Press on 2017 New Jersey gubernatorial race Aug 31, 2016

Phil Murphy: Protect our precious Jersey Shore from offshore drilling

We will resist the dangerous and wrong attempt to allow drilling for oil off our precious shore. We will not allow this threat to our environment and our economy to stand. Our administration, along with the bipartisan support of our federal delegation, will not back down in our fight to protect the Jersey Shore from President Trump and the energy industry special interests.

A stronger and fairer New Jersey accepts the reality of climate change, invests aggressively in renewable energy, and upholds the goals of the Paris Climate Accord. A stronger and fairer New Jersey means that someone has your back. I do.

Source: 2018 New Jersey Inauguration/State of the State speech Jan 16, 2018

Phil Murphy: Wind farm smarter than drilling for oil

We are emerging as a global leader in offshore wind energy, where each dollar of investment will return nearly double to our economy, and where we are working to create thousands of good-paying union jobs. The Board of Public Utilities recently closed the first solicitation for potential partners in building an 1,100-megawatt wind farm off our coast. I don't think it's a stretch to say that realizing our offshore wind-energy potential is much smarter than drilling for oil off the Jersey Shore.
Source: 2019 State of the State address to New Jersey legislature Jan 15, 2019

Phil Murphy: 100% clean energy economy by 2050

We know climate change is real. Instead of denying reality, we're acting on it. To win the next generation, we're working to be the first state to incorporate climate change education across our K-12 state education standards. We're going to make the fight against climate change a cornerstone of the innovation economy. I will unveil New Jersey's new Energy Master Plan, our comprehensive roadmap for arriving at our goal of a 100%t clean-energy economy by 2050.
Source: 2020 New Jersey State of the State address Jan 14, 2020

Ray Lesniak: Require disclosure of renewables on electric bills

Excerpts from legislation: S 1707: Requires Increased Use of Renewable Energy This bill requires the percentage of renewable electricity sold in the State to increase once every five energy years between 2015 and 2050: from 11% in 2015 to 80% in 2050 percent of the electricity sold.

Legislative outcome:Lesniak voted YEA; Bill passed Senate 23-15-2; bill died in House.

Source: New Jersey legislative voting records: S 1707 Mar 14, 2016

Rich Pezzullo: Keep energy costs low by opposing radical Green agenda

Rich has been a long-time advocate for keeping energy costs low by opposing the radical "Green" agenda that's driving electric and gasoline prices through the roof. He rejects the notion that Americans should have to pay hundreds or even thousands of dollars each year to fight alleged "Global Warming." Rich supports the exit from the Paris Accords.
Source: 2018 New Jersey Senate campaign website pezzullo.com Jan 1, 2018

Richard Codey: Require disclosure of renewables on electric bills

Excerpts from legislation: S 1707: Requires Increased Use of Renewable Energy This bill requires the percentage of renewable electricity sold in the State to increase once every five energy years between 2015 and 2050: from 11% in 2015 to 80% in 2050 percent of the electricity sold.

Legislative outcome:Codey voted YEA; Bill passed Senate 23-15-2; bill died in House.

Source: New Jersey legislative voting records: S 1707 Mar 14, 2016

Robert Menendez: World must cut greenhouse gas emissions, or reject science

Q: Consider human activity the major factor driving climate change? Limit or tax production of greenhouse gases? Support US participation in Paris Climate Accord despite President Trump's withdrawal?

Robert Hugin (R): Mixed. "Climate change is real. Humans play a role." Also gave $500,000 to Heritage Foundation, which rejects the significance of human-caused climate change & opposes regulations to address it. Says Paris Accord "unfairly balanced." Didn't support it as written.

Robert Menendez (D): Yes. "[W]e, as a global community, have to cut our greenhouse gas emissions & the US must be at the forefront of that effort." Called withdrawal from Paris Accord a rejection of science.

Q: Support government subsidies or support for renewables?

Hugin: Mixed. Supports research in areas like battery technology, but not direct subsidies that pick winners & losers.

Menendez: Yes. Has supported expanding renewable energy credits by cutting oil company tax breaks.

Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on New Jersey Senate race Oct 9, 2018

Seth Kaper-Dale: Put NJ back on track on climate change

A state plan needs to address the rising tides that are washing away beaches and destroying wetlands. We take seriously the reality of climate change. We would reduce emissions of greenhouse gases, prioritizing the implementation of energy efficiency and renewable initiatives. We'd apologize to the other 9 states in the Regional Green House Gas Initiative for 'pulling out' under Governor Christie and ask to return.
Source: 2018 New Jersey Governor website KaperDaleForGovernor.com Aug 8, 2017

Steve Fulop: Variable rate gas tax with automatic inflation increase

We have seen discussions of a "tax fairness" compromise, which would allow for a decrease in taxes to the wealthy in exchange for an increase in the gas tax. However, "tax fairness" shouldn't be about trading one tax for another, but rather should ensure that everyone pays their fair share. The gas tax solution is essentially a user fee for motorists who use our roads and bridges the most. It is a means by which drivers from neighboring states pay their fair share for using our highways.

A variable-rate structure means that when gas prices increase, the per-gallon tax that motorists pay at the pump will decrease, so that the amount that consumers pay will remain relatively stable. This both protects consumers and our state's economy from the tax burden that is caused by fluctuating gas prices. Additionally, it is important that our state's gas tax solution is tied to the inflation rate to allow the tax rates to adjust accordingly without legislative action.

Source: OpEd by Fulop for 2017 New Jersey Gubernatorial race May 20, 2016

Steve Fulop: Gas tax is essentially a user fee for motorists

We have seen discussions of a "tax fairness" compromise, which would allow for a decrease in taxes to the wealthy in exchange for an increase in the gas tax. However, "tax fairness" shouldn't be about trading one tax for another, but rather should ensure that everyone pays their fair share. The gas tax solution is essentially a user fee for motorists who use our roads and bridges the most. It is a means by which drivers from neighboring states pay their fair share for using our highways. This solution encompasses the true definition of fairness, rather than creating shortfalls in other areas of the state's budget to solve our crisis of funding the trust fund.

A variable-rate structure means that when gas prices increase, the per-gallon tax that motorists pay at the pump will decrease, so that the amount that consumers pay will remain relatively stable. This both protects consumers and our state's economy from the tax burden that is caused by fluctuating gas prices.

Source: Asbury Park Press on 2017 New Jersey gubernatorial race May 20, 2016

Stuart Meissner: Climate change real, but response must be joint effort

He had much to say about climate change, offering "I believe it's real based on science, but we shouldn't cut emissions while China is spewing pollutants into the air. It needs to be a joint effort." However, he noted that "If we listened to the far left, we would be highly dependent on Iranian oil." He noted that he had read the Green New Deal, and "much of it was not about environmental issues but identity politics."
Source: Jewish Link NJ e-zine on 2020 New Jersey Senate race Jan 22, 2020

Thomas Kean Jr.: Don't require disclosure of renewables on electric bills

Excerpts from legislation: S 1707: Requires Increased Use of Renewable Energy This bill requires the percentage of renewable electricity sold in the State to increase once every five energy years between 2015 and 2050: from 11% in 2015 to 80% in 2050 percent of the electricity sold.

Legislative outcome:Kean voted NAY; Bill passed Senate 23-15-2; bill died in House.

Source: New Jersey legislative voting records: S 1707 Mar 14, 2016

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