For Immediate Release:
November 30, 2009
Freeholder D’Amico attends national energy summit
Speaks with congressional leaders, energy officials about Monmouth County
FREEHOLD – Freeholder Deputy Director John D’Amico attended a national Climate Communities event in Washington D.C. recently and met with key federal policymakers to advocate for national climate policies that will result in the creation of local solutions.
Climate Communities is a coalition of cities and counties that lobbies federal policymakers about the essential role of local governments in addressing climate change and promotes strong local-federal partnerships to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The event was held Nov. 16 though Nov. 18 during Local Climate Action Week.
“We reiterated with senators the need to include funding for county and municipal energy conservation and greenhouse gas reduction projects in the ‘cap and trade’ legislation being considered by lawmakers,” D’Amico said. “We are trying to emphasize that local governments can get things done quickly and efficiently, and with the proper funding we can create jobs.”
In addition to meeting with Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts and Sen. Mark Warner of Virginia, D’Amico met with officials at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Department of Transportation, the Department of Energy, the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Department of Commerce and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Climate Communities also hosted congressional briefings to educate policymakers on the importance of local climate actions, including efforts to develop green buildings, foster community-scale renewable energy, advance cleaner vehicles and fuels, build green infrastructure, increase public transit, create green jobs and businesses, and adapt to the impacts of climate change.
A key piece of needed legislation is the “American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009,” sponsored by Reps. Henry Waxman of California and Edward Markey of Massachusetts, which would establish a
cap-and-trade program to reduce GHG emissions. A cap-and-trade program provides economic incentives for achieving reductions in the emissions of pollutants. It works this way:
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the government would set a limit, or cap, on the amount of pollutants that can be emitted.
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companies and other entities are issued emission permits and are required to hold an equivalent number of allowances, or credits which represent the right to emit a specific amount of greenhouse gases. ,The total amount of allowances and credits cannot exceed the cap.
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companies that need to increase their emission allowance must buy credits from those who pollute less. The transfer of allowances is referred to as a trade.
“In effect, the buyer is paying a charge for polluting, while the seller is being rewarded for having reduced emissions by more than was needed,” D’Amico said. “By putting a price on carbon emissions and spurring the development of new and efficient technologies, this legislation would lower heat-trapping gases and set the nation on a path toward a low-carbon economy.”
Other program priorities include:
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fully funding the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant program at $2 billion;
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supporting local sustainable efforts by providing $150 million each to HUD, DOT and EPA to implement the Obama administration’s new Sustainable Communities Initiative;
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providing $50 million for the EPA’s Climate Showcase Communities grant program for local governments;
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supporting green manufacturing by providing $100 million for the Department of Commerce, Economic Development Administration’s Global Climate Change Mitigation Incentive Fund;
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providing $50 million for the Department of Agriculture’s Urban Forestry Program, and
“Support for the ‘cap and trade’ bill as well as funding these other programs would provide significant resources for local actions that reduce GHG emissions,” D’Amico said. “The overall goal is to reduce emissions and foster economic growth by creating green jobs and businesses.”
The Board of Freeholders has established a Greenhouse Gas Reduction program and an advisory committee to explore ways in which Monmouth County can lessen its carbon footprint.
“Due to the county’s regional perspective in transportation planning, road and bridge construction and maintenance, water conservation, and wastewater and solid waste management, not to mention its numerous buildings and operations, the county can play an important role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions,” D’Amico said.
The Greenhouse Gas Reduction Plan will include the following tasks:
- create an inventory of the county’s operational greenhouse gas emissions;
- develop a plan for the implementation of policies, programs and operations to achieve significant, measurable and sustainable reductions of greenhouse gas emissions;
- recommend steps to achieve New Jersey’s climate stabilization goals that promote energy efficiency in county facilities;
- recommend steps for municipalities to consider when planning for reduced emissions and increased energy efficiency; and
- work closely with local, state and federal governments and other stakeholders to share ideas and promote New Jersey’s climate stabilization goals.
“It all adds up to saving our planet for future generations by reducing the impact of greenhouse house gas emissions,” D’Amico said.
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