Tell Gov. Murphy: Prioritize clean energy in the 2022 budget

New Jersey 2022 budget

Now’s the time to move our clean energy future forward.

New Jersey’s 2021 budget included significant reductions to the Clean Energy Fund. As we look to recover from the severe economic impacts of the pandemic, it’s important that we invest in clean energy and other green initiatives that will not only improve our health and safety, but create many high-quality, local jobs and spur a sustainable, green recovery.

ReThink Energy New Jersey’s 6th Annual “Attitudes on Clean Energy” poll showed that New Jerseyans overwhelmingly support clean energy investments in sources like wind and solar.

Make your voice heard!

Send a letter to Gov. Murphy urging his administration to prioritize clean energy investments in the 2022 budget.

Complete the form below to submit your letter.*

Budget Letter Campaign (Jan. 2021)

First Name *

Last Name *

Email Address *

Town *

State *

The Letter

Dear Gov. Murphy,

As a proud New Jersey resident, I support prioritizing investments in programs and projects that drive the state toward a healthier and more sustainable future. I believe that New Jersey has the potential to lead our country in the fight against climate change and applaud your leadership on this issue.

However, I was disappointed to see that the FY2021 budget included diversions to the Clean Energy Fund. In order to move our clean energy future forward and create good paying jobs, we must do all that we can to utilize those funds as intended.

Clean energy already supports 51,000 jobs in the state, with energy efficiency being the largest sector that can be accelerated with increased funding to the Clean Energy Fund that supports targeted investments in energy efficiency, wind and solar, electric vehicles and workforce development. Wind and solar projects lead the way in job creation by generating about 13 jobs per million dollar investment, while coal, oil, and natural gas projects generate about 6-7 jobs for the same investment. The benefits for workers are evident too, with those employed in clean energy earning higher wages than the national average wage in other industries.

Along with the above, I also believe the following sectors, with anticipated economic benefits, should be prioritized in the budget:

• Fund Parks and Trails 
New Jerseyans rely on parks and trails now more than ever, but not all communities have sufficient access to open space. According to the Trust for Public Land, 23 jobs are created for every million dollars of direct agency spending on park operations and 16 jobs for every million dollars of direct agency spending on capital projects.

• Build Resilience to Climate Disasters  
Severe weather, flooding, and other associated climate impacts have become more common, threatening lives and millions in property damage and value lost. For every dollar invested in disaster risk reduction actions, an average of $7 is saved from reduced flood risk.

• Improve Water and Community Infrastructure 
For every dollar spent on lead mitigation, $221 is returned to the state in money saved on special education, criminal justice, and health care.  We urge you to provide robust funding to NJDEP water programs and to prioritize funding for lead remediation to ensure environmental justice for communities that have not had access to clean, safe drinking water and lead-safe homes.

If we want to move New Jersey’s clean energy future forward, we must invest in it now. Making green investments a priority in the 2022 budget will create jobs, grow our economy, and get us one step closer to a stronger and fairer state.

Sincerely,

Thank you for making your voice heard. Together, we can move to a healthier, more prosperous clean energy future.

*Your letter will be delivered to Gov. Murphy.

ReThink Energy NJ is a campaign supporting a rapid transition away from reliance on fossil fuels and unneeded pipelines, to clean, efficient, renewable energy like wind and solar. By submitting your letter, you agree to receive periodic communications from ReThink Energy NJ.

Contact

Campaign Director

admin@rethinkenergynj.org

ReThink Energy NJ