Gov.’s Earth Day pledge: No LNG, offshore drilling

Gov. Chris Christie marked Earth Day by reaffirming his administration’s commitment to environmental protections.

Clean Ocean Action Executive Director Cindy Zipf (l) and former Gov. Tom Kean applaud Gov. Chris Christie’s opposition to liquefied natural gas (LNG) facilities across the Jersey Shore. Christie also stated opposition to off-shore drilling in New Jersey, as well as drilling off the coast of other states that could negatively impact New Jersey. JACQUELINE HLAVENKA At the oceanfront in Sea Bright on April 22, the governor was met with applause and even drew a standing ovation as he articulated his opposition to liquefied natural gas (LNG) facilities off the New Jersey coastline and signed a bill in favor of solar power.

Christie was joined at a press conference held at Surfrider Beach Club by Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Commissioner Bob Martin and former Gov. Tom Kean, representatives of environmental groups and local officials.

“For as long as I am governor, this administration will oppose any application for liquefied natural gas,” Christie announced. “New Jersey is not going to be a pipeline for New York City for natural gas at the risk of ruining our shores, our beaches and our environment.”

Christie also stated his opposition to “any kind of offshore drilling.”

Earth Day 2010 marks the 40th anniversary of the New Jersey DEP, created through legislation sponsored by then-Assemblyman Kean, who was celebrating his 75th birthday last Thursday.

“I’m very proud of the enormous work that’s been accomplished over the last 40 years in New Jersey and across the nation to protect and preserve our environment for future generations.

“From the Jersey Shore to our state’s mountains and farms, New Jersey is home to precious environmental treasures that we are obligated to be good stewards of for our children and grandchildren,” said Christie, who was accompanied by his daughter, Bridget, 6. “My administration takes this responsibility seriously and remains committed to protecting our environment every day.”

Under the Deepwater Port Act, the governor of an adjacent coastal state has significant veto power over an LNG project.

“New Jersey’s energy future lies in utilizing and encouraging the development of new, innovative technology in the renewable energy industry,” said Christie, adding that he is unconvinced that offshore gas facilities are needed or would significantly lower prices for customers.

“It remains unclear as to why our state should assume the environmental risks associated with these projects when the trade-off is weak at best,” he said.

Christie said his administration is committed to bringing down energy costs, creating jobs in these emerging industries, and satisfying growing energy needs with sources located in New Jersey.

“LNG facilities, however, are not the answer for New Jersey’s needs,” Christie said.C

indy Zipf, executive director of Sandy Hook-based Clean Ocean Action (COA), praised Christie’s stance on offshore oil and gas drilling.

“Whoo-hoo! It’s a great day to celebrate!” Zipf exclaimed. “This announcement is really a big surprise.

“These two announcements, that we are not going to support offshore drilling in the Atlantic Ocean and no liquefied gas facilities, are huge,” said Zipf. “It’s a joyous time for the ocean. We did it!”

COA, an ocean advocacy group, has led the fight against proposals for LNG facilities off the New Jersey coast.

In 2007 the Atlantic Sea Island Group proposed a plan called Safe Harbor Energy to construct a 63-acre man-made LNG island facility off the coast of Sea Bright.

Under the proposal, the facility would be capable of delivering up to 2 billion cubic feet of natural gas per day to the New York/New Jersey metropolitan region.

Liberty Natural Gas and ExxonMobil propose two other facilities off Asbury Park and the Manasquan Inlet.

As Christie planned for his inauguration, COA launched a “Call for Ocean Emotion” campaign that asked citizens to make valentines to welcome the governor and to encourage him to act quickly on his commitment to the ocean.

Zipf said 2,350 valentines were submitted within two weeks’ time.

“The governor clearly recognizes that coastal tourism is the backbone of the state’s economy with hundreds of thousands of jobs,” said Zipf.

“When you improve the environment, you improve the state,” Kean added. “Everything we do encourages people to come, stay and live here. It’s important to us, our children, our grandchildren and our great-grandchildren.”

In addition to pledging his opposition to LNG, Christie backed up his pledge to support renewable energy sources and job creation by signing a bill exempting solar panels from restrictions, which had classified them as an “impervious surface” under municipal land-use law and waterfront and coastal development laws.

The bill had bi-partisan backing and sponsorship and received unanimous support in the Legislature, and sponsors included Sen. Jennifer Beck (R-12th District), who attended the press conference.

“There is a balance to be struck between responsible land-use law and well-intended but burdensome restrictions that do more harm than good,” Christie said. “This legislation removes the regulatory burden, serves our environment by expanding renewable energy assets, and serves the economy by creating demand for solar panel production.”

Until this legislation, the law limited the total amount of land that could be developed with an impervious surface for environmental protection purposes. Under this law, only the base or foundation of the solar panel that is affixed to the land, rather than the entire solar panel, will be considered as impervious cover.

The bill signed by the governor recognizes solar energy developments as an important land use that will protect the environment and eliminates a s igni f icant impediment that had prev iously stalled green energy projects.

Beck explained that the new legislation makes it easier for both homeowners and businesses to install clean-energy-producing solar panels.

“Most people don’t realize that New Jersey is one of the largest and fastest-growing solar energy producers in the country,” said Beck. “While there is a growing demand from homeowners, farmers and the business community to install solar panels on their properties, many have found a patchwork of conflicting laws and regulations that have prevented clean-energy installations. This legislation removes a major obstacle that has prevented our state’s growth in solar energy.

“We need to do all we can as a state to support alternative energy,” Beck said.