DEP Must Reject the PVSC Proposal for Another Power Plant in Newark

On October 29, NJEJA submitted comments to the NJ Department of Environmental Protection in the public comment period regarding PVSC’s permit proposal for the construction of another power plant in the Ironbound Community of Newark, NJ. For years, community members and advocacy groups have been clear: we cannot afford to have another power plant in Newark. Another plant would risk exacerbating already disproportionate levels of air pollution, contribute to cumulative impacts, and continue to bring negative health outcomes to residents in the surrounding area.

As was said in our letter to the board of commissions, “High rates of asthma, cancers, cardiovascular diseases, and reproductive issues already plague the Ironbound community. Moving forward with this project would be a direct and disrespectful disregard for the health of the people who live, play, and work in this community. It would continue the harms of environmental racism and exacerbate the climate crisis.”

Read our full comments below:

RE_ PVSC_Response to Comment_NJEJADownload

NJEJA Letter to PVSC Opposing Proposed Fourth Power Plant

On September 19, NJEJA submitted a letter to the Passaic Valley Sewerage Commission’s Commissioners expressing our deep opposition to the proposal of a fourth power plant in the Ironbound Community of Newark, New Jersey. We stand in solidarity with the residents of the Ironbound in opposing this plant as it will contribute to local air pollution, exacerbate risks to negative health outcomes, and continue a reliance on fossil fuels when a rapid transition to renewables is deeply needed. 

NJEJA Opposes PVSC Fourth Power PlantDownload

A Quick Guide to Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS)

As carbon capture and storage (CCS) continues to be pushed as a solution to climate change by both private and public investment, NJEJA has developed this fact sheet to explain CCS, the risks to our communities, and why carbon capture is simply going to prolong our reliance on fossil fuels.

NJEJA CCS Fact SheetDownload

For questions, please reach out to Brooke Helmick, Director of Policy at brooke@njeja.org.

NJEJA Submits Comments on the 45Y/48E Tax Credits

On August 2, 2024, the New Jersey Environmental Justice Alliance, along with co-signed allies, submitted comments to U.S. Department of the Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service regarding the proposed regulations for the 45Y/48E Clean Energy Tax Credits.

This federal funding will be an integral component in the Just Transition and funding clean energy in the United States. However, as these credits are designed to be technology-neutral (i.e. no one particular type of energy production is to be favored), there is a risk that these credits may be granted to facilities which do not truly produce clean energy and pose a risk to the surrounding communities.

We submit these comments to: (1) urge the Dept. of the Treasury and the IRS to center environmental justice, (2) incorporate GHG co-pollutants into the emissions calculations, (3) expand the emissions calculations, (4) include a geographical analysis in the alternative fates analysis, (5) exclude polluting combustion and gasification facilities from the list of qualified facilities as they cannot demonstrate a zero emissions mode of production, and (6) address EJ concerns with carbon captures. All of these changes can bring significant protections to environmental justice communities and greatly reduce the risk of harm.

For questions regarding NJEJA’s position and related policy concern, please contact Brooke Helmick, Director of Policy at brooke@njeja.org.

Read our full comments below:

NJEJA-Re-REG-119283-23_Section45Y-48EDownload

Environmental Justice Concerns with Carbon Capture and Hydrogen Co-Firing in the Power Sector

Read the latest report on Environmental Justice Concerns with Carbon Capture and Hydrogen Co-Firing in the Power Sector, prepared in partnership with the New School Tishman Environment and Design Center, Center for the Urban Environment of the John S. Watson Institute for Urban Policy and Research at Kean University, and the Center for Earth, Energy, and Democracy.

CCS & EJ White PaperDownload

For questions, please reach out to Brooke Helmick, Director of Policy at brooke@njeja.org.

NJEJA, ICC, and SWEA Submit Comments to the U.S. Coast Guard Opposing the N.J. Turnpike

On July 12, 2024, New Jersey environmental justice organizations, the New Jersey Environmental Justice Alliance, Ironbound Community Corportation, and Southward Environmental Alliance, submitted joint comments to the U.S. Coast Guard in order to continue vocalizing opposition to the proposed New Jersey Turnpike expansion project.

These comments highlight grave concerns regarding negative environmental and climate impacts, subsequent health impacts, and disproportionate burdens to environmental justice communities. Our concerns are grounded in a desire to protect our communities from adverse health impacts as a result of toxic air pollution, increased emissions of greenhouse gases and co-pollutants, and the cumulative impacts of living in environmental justice communities which host multiple polluting projects.

We stand firm in the knowledge that there are better alternatives than expanding the turnpike and that any project must acknowledge, center, and meaningful address the risks to environmental justice communities before being allowed to move forward. Furthermore, there must be intentional and substantive community engagement processes in order to be considered.

For questions regarding NJEJA’s position and related policy concern, please contact Brooke Helmick, Director of Policy at brooke@njeja.org.

Read our full comments below:

EJ-Opposes-the-Turnpike-ExpansionDownload

Comments to the White House Environmental Justice Advisory Council on Carbon Management

On June 19, the New jersey Environmental Justice Alliance submitted comments to the White House Environmental Justice Advisory Council (WHEJAC) regarding carbon management. NJEJA highlighted the risks of CCS and hydrogen co-firing, the necessity of directing federal funding towards communities and sustainable, renewable technologies, and recommending increased oversight, transparency, and accountability in DOE project development. Click here to read more about the WHEJAC.

Read our full comments below:

WHEJAC-Comments-NJEJA-June-2024Download

NJEJA and ICC Submit Comments on the Energy Master Plan

On June 12, the New Jersey Environmental Justice Alliance and the Ironbound Community Corporation submitted public comment to the Board of Public Utilities regarding the 2024 Energy Master Plan. These comments reflect a joint effort to decrease emissions in the state of New Jersey and facilitate to swift transition to affordable truly-clean energy for everyone, particularly low- and moderate-income and EJ communities. Click here read other public comments and view the BPU’s docket.

Read our full comments below:

NJEJA-ICC_EMP-CommentsDownload

NJEJA and Partners Submit Comments on EPA’s Power Plant Rule

On May 28, the New Jersey Environmental Justice Alliance and EJ partners submitted crucial comments to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regarding the second part to their Power Plant Rules. These comments reflect a unified effort from numerous EJ organizations across the country to call on the EPA to substantially address the cumulative impacts of air pollution and the disproportionate burden of both greenhouse gases and greenhouse gas co-pollutants on environmental justice communities. Click here to read our full comments.

Read Our Statement Below, and hear what EJ advocates had to say about the unique opportunity in this comment period:

EJ-Comments-on-EPAs-Existing-Gas-Rule-STATEMENT-May-2024-1Download

NJEJA Toolkit: EPA Power Plant Rule

 

On April 25, the EPA announced a new suite of rules aiming to decreasing pollution in four areas. Key among these was the EPA’s decision not to consider hydrogen co-firing as a solution to mitigating emissions in the power sector. Communities now have an unprecedented and unique moment to continue influencing the EPA rule making process, which will have repercussions for decades to come. 

Recognizing the importance of this moment, NJEJA hosted a webinar on Tuesday, May 14 for community organizations, advocacy groups, and individuals interested in engaging in this comment period.

 

Use this toolkit to learn more about the rule and its relationship to carbon capture and hydrogen, as well as what you can do to take action for your community!

Download Toolkit