Protesters say no to offshore drilling
News Article • • by Amanda Oglesby at Asbury Park Press
ASBURY PARK - If the federal government approves oil and gas drilling offshore, a group of New Jersey elected officials, environmentalists and residents worry that beaches like Asbury Park's would be in jeopardy.
They envision a disaster like the one in Gulf Coast states after the Deepwater Horizon explosion of 2010, when millions of barrels of oil coated animals and slicked beaches for hundreds of miles. In the months afterward, crews cleaned oil and tar from beaches, ocean-dwelling animals died in unusual numbers, and that region's fishing and tourism industry were temporarily crippled.
Asbury Park Mayor John Moor said he worries a similar disaster could happen at the Jersey Shore.
OPEN-SPACE PRESERVATION FUNDING GETS PUT ON LEGISLATIVE FAST TRACK
News Article • • by Tom Johnson at NJ Spotlight
Hoping to free up funds sooner rather than later, a legislative committee yesterday quickly revived a bill to provide money to preserve open space, farmland, and historic structures.
Greens claim victory in Assembly elections
News Article • • by David Giambusso at Politico
Environmentalists ran a victory lap Wednesday as green candidates scored decisive victories in some Assembly districts and others staged upsets.
The environment and energy are usually considered less-burning topics in public opinion polls, though that dynamic has changed slowly in New Jersey since Hurricane Sandy. Green groups and pro-environment legislators say the election Tuesday is providing evidence that issues relating to climate change are becoming more important in the minds of voters.
"What we saw was a record number seeking our endorsement, a record number getting our endorsement and a record number winning," Ed Potosnak, executive director of the New Jersey League of Conservation Voters, said in an interview on Wednesday. "We had a record night last night."
The link between childhood health and available parkland
News Article • • by Ed Potosnak at NJ.com
Childhood health and obesity has increasingly become a problem. More than one-third of American children and adolescents are now either obese or overweight, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Rather than playing outside and being active, kids now spend five to seven hours a day watching TV, on the computer or playing video games. In many areas of New Jersey there simply are not enough open spaces for kids to get outside for healthy recreation.
Conservation group grateful to LoBiondo
News Article • • by Ed Potosnak and Gene Karpinski at Press of Atlantic City
At a time when too many representatives in Congress are sticking their heads in the sand about our environmental challenges, Rep. Frank LoBiondo is calling for action to protect South Jersey's environment and backing up his words with his votes.
Jersey City aims to reduce carbon footprint with energy-analysis plan
News Article • • by Melissa Bilecky at NJ.com
Jersey City officials are aiming to make city buildings more energy-efficient by implementing energy audits every three years, the city announced yesterday.
Exxon Mobil agreement ‘horrific’
News Article • • by Joseph Passantino at Hudson Reporter
City, county, and environmental officials have greeted the state’s posting of the proposed $225 million cleanup settlement with the Exxon Mobil Corporation the same way they dealt with it six weeks ago: with disillusionment, concern, and even “horror.”
Letter: In Congress, Watson Coleman will lead on climate change
News Article • • by Ed Potosnak and Gene Karpinski at
Congratulations to Congresswoman-elect Bonnie Watson Coleman on her election (“Watson Coleman earns historic win,” Nov. 5).
Defend Englewood Cliffs on Nov. 4th
News Article • • by Ed Potosnak at Observer
On November 4th the environment is on the Ballot in Englewood Cliffs.
High-rise development is threatening to change Englewood Cliffs as you know it, degrading your quality of life and increasing traffic and congestion. High-rise developments will also ruin the historic Palisades, which are among the most dramatic geologic features in the region and so vital they earned designation as a National Park Landmark and National Historic Landmark by the National Parks Service. The Palisades are an American treasure.
OP-ED: VOTE YES ON PUBLIC QUESTION 2 FOR CLEAN WATER, PRESERVING QUALITY OF LIFE
News Article • • by Ed Potosnak at NJ Spotlight
New Jersey voters have the opportunity this Election Day to make the profound choice to vote yes to protect clean drinking water and quality of life in the Garden State for generations to come.
Unfortunately, rather than spending their time protecting New Jersey’s environment, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) and its surrogates are spreading misinformation about Public Question 2, the best and only opportunity to ensure stable funding for the now-depleted Green Acres, Blue Acres, farmland, and historic preservation programs.