New Jersey, home to many oil and gas producers, eyes fees to fight climate change
New Jersey is considering charging fees on producers of fossil fuels to help the state that is home to several oil and gas facilities fight the effects of climate change
TRENTON, N.J. — It's not an accident that “The Sopranos,” the quintessential show about New Jersey, opens with its main character driving past gasoline and oil storage tanks along the New Jersey Turnpike.
From the outskirts of New York to the Delaware River shoreline across from Philadelphia, New Jersey is home to numerous oil and natural gas facilities. They would be charged fees to help the state fight the effects of climate change under a bill being considered in the Legislature.
The measure, to be discussed Thursday in a state Senate committee, aims to create a Climate Superfund similar to the pot of money assembled by the federal government to clean up toxic waste by charging petroleum and chemical companies an extra tax to fund ongoing cleanups.
It's a tactic being used or considered in numerous other states, including Vermont, which recently enacted such a law. New York, Maryland, Massachusetts and California are among states considering doing likewise.
“It’s more important than ever that Gov. Murphy and state legislators protect New Jersey taxpayers and the health of our communities by making polluters pay to repair, upgrade and harden our critical infrastructure from climate-driven damage,” said Matt Smith, New Jersey director of the nonprofit Food & Water Watch.
New Jersey's business lobby is already working against the bill. Ray Cantor, an official with the New Jersey Business and Industry Association, said the bill will accomplish nothing beyond raising the cost of gasoline for motorists, and gas and oil for home heating customers.
“There
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