New Jersey Environmental Lobby Newsletter October-December 2007

For years, on the rare occasions that the mainstream media covered the topic of global warming, it was usually with skepticism. When politicians like Al Gore tried to convince the public of the need to conserve energy and develop alternatives to fossil fuels they were ridiculed in print and on attack radio. As crude oil approaches $100 per barrel, as islands experience measurable loss of land to rising seas, and as Arctic tourists see the shrinking icebergs and glaciers, more Americans believe that global warming is real and that we must use alternatives to fossil fuels.
Judging from the requests for information that NJEL receives, there is a public appetite for information about renewable energy sources. As the media catches up with the public's interest in the subject, there now seems to be constant coverage. Nevertheless, much of the public is still unaware of the extent to which renewable energy sources (other than burning wood) have been researched and used for decades. Right now In New Jersey, private individuals are using wind power. Our Legislative Director is advocating for zoning protections for small scale, single windmills, that are at least equal to the protections given much larger and more intrusive cell towers. There is a wave action study in progress in New York's East River. To answer our members' questions, NJEL Board members volunteered their time to research alternative energy topics. With information presented at the Rutgers Energy Institute as a starting point, this newsletter issue includes descriptions of the renewable energy sources that are either in commercial use or are the subject of serious research.

Rutgers University Energy Institute - by Daphne Speck-Bartynski & Anne Poole

A comprehensive overview of renewable energy sources was presented at the Rutgers Energy Institute (REI) Mini-Symposium in May 2007, which NJEL Vice President Daphne Speck-Bartynski attended. There is now little disagreement among mainstream scientists that the carbon dioxide produced by the use of fossil fuels is a significant cause of global warming. Proposals for sequestering carbon dioxide and using it to produce fuels are in the news, but Institute Director Professor Paul Falkowski pointed out that humans are a million times more efficient at extracting and burning fossil fuels than they are at capturing and returning the resulting carbon dioxide to geologic formations.

While storing, and even using carbon dioxide to produce certain fuels may be part of the solution for global warming, it is not likely to be a commercially viable option soon. To reduce carbon dioxide emissions, humans have no choice but to reduce their use of fossil fuels.
REI's symposium covered an array of renewable energy technologies that went beyond the familiar topics of solar and wind power. Consumers need to educate themselves about these technologies so that they can choose energy products wisely. Consumers are also taxpayers and investors and in those roles, they need to demand the economic and political policies that will decrease the damage of global warming and ensure a sustainable economy. Much of the symposium's subject matter was highly technical but the program did provide basic descriptions of the various technologies. As a speaker pointed out, New Jersey does not consume enough oil to change the nation, but it does produce enough electricity to influence the way that the nation produces its energy
In addition to the information provided at the Symposium, information in the following sections came from the Solar Energy Society of Canada (www.sesci.ca), the Electric Power Research Institute, (www.epri.com), and the MIT Technology Review (www. technologyreview.com).
Photovoltaics- Conversion of light into electrical energy by the use of semiconductors. Recognizable examples are solar panel installations on buildings and solar-powered lights.
Active and Passive Solar Energy-While photovoltaics converts sunlight into electricity, active and passive solar energy systems simply collect and distribute the sun's heat. In a passive system, a steady supply of solar energy is, simply, used, as in the sunlight coming through a window. There is no mechanical intervention or assistance. In an active system, pumps or fans are used to distribute the energy. Examples are solar-powered building systems that provide heat and/or hot water.
Geophysical Fluids-include the elemental forces of wind and water. The public is familiar with hydroelectric dams and waterfall sited power plants. Although wind power accounts for a small share of electric production, awareness of it is growing. Wind power installations have a variety of configurations, from single windmills to wind farms composed of hundreds of large turbines. Hydroelectric and wind power are used in Europe with great success. These types of renewable energy could, when adopted in New Jersey, create jobs and produce clean energy that is cheaper than electricity produced from coal
The "water" category includes more than dams and waterfalls. Water power includes wave, current, and tidal action, ocean thermal gradient, and salinity gradient, energy. A variety of devices are in place around the globe, being used to research and test electricity generation by these methods. There are sites in South Africa, Scotland, Ireland, Israel, Canada, Japan, and the U. S.
In the case of wave, current, and tidal action, machines to harness that energy have taken many forms. Some with clever names like Wave Dragon and Sea Clam have already been determined ineffective, while others, notably the Sea Dog and the Pelamis Wave Energy Converter, show considerable promise. One invention, the Tidal In-Stream Energy Converter (TISEC) is in place in New York's East River for an 18 month test. The test is to determine if the six underwater turbines, similar in design to wind turbines, will have an impact on the River's fish.
Ocean thermal gradient and salinity gradient use the power latent in differences in ocean temperatures and differences in salinity to generate electricity. In the last three years, almost 60 applications have been submitted to U.S. energy regulators for permits for water action installations.
Biovoltaics-Less familiar to most of the public, but with research in progress, is the use of biological substances to produce energy or fuels. Luminescent bacteria are being studied, as are types of algae that contain an oil that scientists have dubbed "biocrude."
Geothermal- Literally, earth heat. Most people are aware of the use of geothermal energy in Iceland, but geothermal energy, while a small percentage of the total used on our globe, is widely dispersed. Most of the user countries are in the Pacific Ring of Fire-Indonesia, Mexico, New Zealand. There is usage in France and Italy. An interesting factoid is that the first geothermal electricity was generated in 1904 in Italy. You may be surprised to learn that of the 7000 megawatts of geothermal electricity generated worldwide, a third is generated in the U.S. It is used in New Mexico, Oregon, and California. There are five geothermal electricity plants in Lake County, CA and the County has consistently met or exceeded Clean Air standards. Geothermal energy is not totally unintrusive, however, and there are some concerns about overexploitation. Drilling and piping are required.
Biofuels-Probably the energy source that is now most covered by the media. A subject that was found occasionally in the mainstream general news, it is now a frequent topic in the business and investment media. First generation biofuels are those produced from the fermentation of starch, (ethanol from corn or cane sugar), or from oils (biodiesel). Ethanol is now controversial because of the large amounts of water and energy required to produce it. The demand for ethanol is also blamed for high corn prices and the resulting rise in animal feed costs. Brazil, which is oil-independent because almost all of its vehicles use biofuels, accomplished it at the cost of transforming rain forests into farmland.
Second generation biofuels are produced from nonfoods, like plant cellulose (grasses) and algae. There is an expectation that these can be more efficient and environmentally benign than ethanol. ***********
Energy storage is crucial for solar and wind power because frequency shifts create major changes in the energy grid. Frequency shifts are caused by lack of sun, decreased wind, and clouds passing over photovoltaics. A power grid needs energy storage capacity to offset such shifts . The U.S. Department of Energy is increasing funding to develop better storage so that when energy to the grid is decreased, stored energy can be used to generate electricity without interruption. Nano-enabled storage looks promising; additional advances are expected with lithium and lithium ion batteries and negative electrode storage. ********
A good energy policy combines technology with economics and an appreciation of the public policy making process. Under New Jersey's Global Warming Response Act, which codifies an executive order issued previously by Gov. Corzine, our state is required to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by 2020, a reduction of roughly 20% . This is not just a plan, it is a mandate. Hopefully it will be met and, as the deadline nears, will not be rolled back because of inaction.

Electronics Waste Recycling - In 2007 the Legislature took up the issue of removing certain electronic products from New Jersey's solid waste stream, recycling electronic materials where possible, and disposing of hazardous materials appropriately. To fund the recycling, fees would be imposed on electronic products, with most of the funds forwarded to counties for carrying out the recycling. Competing bills were introduced in the Assembly and the Senate.
A notable difference between the bills was the point at which the recycling fee would be imposed. The Senate version, S-554 would impose the fee at the time of purchase, so that presumably the consumer would pay the fee. The Assembly bill, A-3573, would impose the fees upon the manufacturers. The fees would be calculated according to a formula using product weight, percentage of hazardous material in the product, and the manufacturer's market share. Under A-3573, the NJ Department of Environmental Protection would be responsible for administering the formula-based fee system. Some environmental and consumer groups favor A-3573 because it requires manufacturers to pay the fee at the beginning of the product stream. However, the NJEL Board was concerned about the bureaucratic apparatus that would be required to administer the system, collect manufacturing data, and audit that data. The effects of out-of-state sales, internet sales and resales were not clear. It was also likely that manufacturers would pass on the cost to he consumer, but the add-on would not be readily transparent to the consumer. Finally, a fee at the time of purchase would be expected to raise consumer awareness of the recycling program. An argument that a fee based on the percentage of toxic materials would encourage manufacturers to seek alternative materials does have merit, but at the present time we are not convinced that it offsets the complicated administrative framework that would no doubt develop. Neither bill includes cell phones or devices with screens smaller than 4 inches (i.e., PDAs). NJEL has requested that such devices be included.
Both bills have passed out of their respective Environment Committees.

Coastal & Ocean Protection Council - After several years, the Coastal Ocean Coalition (COC), comprised of both State and National environmental groups, sees one of its agenda items moving closer to reality in New Jersey. In 2003 and 2004, reports were released by two different national commissions that reviewed the health of the nation's coasts and oceans. The reports issued by the Pew Oceans Commission and the U. S. Commission on Ocean Policy were not in complete agreement on all points, but both concluded that the nation's coastal resources are in peril. In the face of delays by the Federal government in implementing the recommendations of the Commissions, the COC developed a plan of action that the State has the authority to pursue. One of these elements was the establishment of a Coastal Ocean Protection Council, a coordinating body that will apply ecosystem-based management to our coastal regions. The Council would be expected to balance what is best for the coastal ecology with the competing utilization interests--tourism, fishing, surfing, construction and, now, energy generation. One of the problems for coastal resource management in NJ is the variety of state and local agencies that regulate and monitor the coastal areas. This fractured framework is in itself problematic.

*******
In June the Assembly Environment and Solid Waste Committee passed out of committee a bill which would set-up the Coastal and Ocean Protection Council, an advisory body that would review and recommend actions to improve the health of the State's coastal and ocean environments. In September, at a special meeting at Monmouth University the Senate Environment Committee approved a similar bill. With NJEL as a member, the Coastal Ocean Coalition is advocating for passage of the bills in January. This is an important first step toward evaluating and mitigating the impacts that our development and commercial activities have had on this entire endangered environment, not just on "micro" segments or individual towns.

****************
NJEL's Spring 2006 and Summer 2007 newsletters explained some of the concerns and recommendations of the Coastal Ocean Coalition and also explained the structure of the proposed Council. Those issues of
the NJEL newsletter can be viewed at www.njenvironment.org.
Contact your legislators and tell them to establish the Coastal and Ocean Protection Council.
Don't know who your State legislators are? Visit www.njenvironment.org and click on "NJ Politicians." Some legislators will be changing in January. At that time our website will be updated to reflect the election results.

Ballot Question 3 passed, but the margin was slim: statewide, only 54% of the voters voted in favor of the bond issue that will provide $200 million for open space and historic site preservation. There were surprising and disappointing results in some counties where open space preservation is particularly urgent to protect biodiversity and drinking water sources. Included are some counties within the Pinelands and Highlands regions. A majority of voters in Ocean and Atlantic Counties, both of which include fragile Pinelands and coasts, voted against Q. 3. Cape May was another coastal county where more voters said "no" rather than "yes" to open space funding. In northern New Jersey, slight majorities of voters in Hunterdon, Morris, Sussex, and Warren Counties rejected the ballot question. A number of environmental organizations, including NJEL, conducted voter education campaigns with printed material, emails, and telephone calls. Responses from some individuals contacted by NJEL, even those who consider themselves environmentalists, indicated that voters are very concerned about State spending and property taxes. Others lack confidence in the decision-making processes for selecting and negotiating property acquisitions. Although data show that open space generally keeps municipal costs down, apparently there are many voters who are unconvinced of the urgency to preserve open space and historic sites. It has been demonstrated repeatedly that large residential developments cost more in education and municipal services than the tax revenue that they generate. In particular, when a town's excess capacity in schools, water and sewer systems, and fire and police services is absorbed by new residents, the fixed costs of additional infrastructure and the next unit of operating costs (e.g., the additional teacher, the additional police officer the additional trash collector) increase the average cost per household. Is it just a New Jersey experience, a function of our density and high costs? Apparently not. Towns in other states have similar experiences. NJEL member Melanie Hobart was a member of a team that analyzed one year of municipal costs for Williamstown, MA, a rural community of 8,500 in the Berkshires, home of Williams College. For every $1 in revenue generated by a property category, the average costs to the town were 25 cents for open space, 42 cents for industrial/commercial, and a whopping $1.115 for residential.

Protecting the Environment and the Public: A Conference on the Precautionary Principle - Monday March 3, 2008 -

Place: Main Lounge, Seton Hall University, South Orange Avenue, South Orange, NJ

Speakers & Panelists: Senator Frank Lautenberg (invited), Dr. Adam Finkel, Dr. Theodore Schettler, Lois Gibbs (Love Canal Activist & Founder, Center for Health, Environment, & Justice), Dr. Michael Taylor, Debbie Raphael (Manager, Toxics Reduction Program, City of San Francisco)

New Jersey Environmental Lobby 2008 Awards Reception, Chancellor's Suite, Seton Hall University, 5 PM to 7:30 PM
For registration and sponsorship information, email njel@earthlink.net or call Anne Poole, 609-894-4113

REMEMBER!

The New Jersey Environmental Lobby is your voice in Trenton. We are an independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit organization focused on the preservation and protection of a healthy environment for all our citizens. We need your support! JOIN NJEL and help us change the laws!







	President: Anne Poole Legislative Director: Michael Pisauro


	Volume 36 No. 4

	October - December 2007

	Renewable Energy - Finally, Acceptance? For years, on the rare occasions that the mainstream media covered the topic of global warming, it was usually with skepticism. Read More ... Rutgers University Energy Institute - *by Daphne Speck-Bartynski & Anne Poole* A comprehensive overview of renewable energy sources was presented at the Rutgers Energy Institute (REI) Mini-Symposium in May 2007, which NJEL Vice President Daphne Speck-Bartynski attended. Read More ... Legislative Update - *by Michael L. Pisauro* Electronics Waste Recycling - In 2007 the Legislature took up the issue of removing certain electronic products from New Jersey's solid waste stream. Coastal & Ocean Protection Council - After several years, the Coastal Ocean Coalition (COC), comprised of both State and National environmental groups, sees one of its agenda items moving closer to reality in New Jersey. Read More ... The Vote For Open Space - Ballot Question 3 passed, but the margin was slim: statewide, only 54% of the voters voted in favor of the bond issue that will provide $200 million for open space and historic site preservation. Read More ... Protecting the Environment and the Public: A Conference on the Precautionary Principle, Monday March 3rd, 2008 - Details... Plus the New Jersey Environmental Lobby 2008 Awards Reception Read More .. Renewable Energy - Finally, Acceptance? - For years, on the rare occasions that the mainstream media covered the topic of global warming, it was usually with skepticism. When politicians like Al Gore tried to convince the public of the need to conserve energy and develop alternatives to fossil fuels they were ridiculed in print and on attack radio. As crude oil approaches $100 per barrel, as islands experience measurable loss of land to rising seas, and as Arctic tourists see the shrinking icebergs and glaciers, more Americans believe that global warming is real and that we must use alternatives to fossil fuels. Judging from the requests for information that NJEL receives, there is a public appetite for information about renewable energy sources. As the media catches up with the public's interest in the subject, there now seems to be constant coverage. Nevertheless, much of the public is still unaware of the extent to which renewable energy sources (other than burning wood) have been researched and used for decades. Right now In New Jersey, private individuals are using wind power. Our Legislative Director is advocating for zoning protections for small scale, single windmills, that are at least equal to the protections given much larger and more intrusive cell towers. There is a wave action study in progress in New York's East River. To answer our members' questions, NJEL Board members volunteered their time to research alternative energy topics. With information presented at the Rutgers Energy Institute as a starting point, this newsletter issue includes descriptions of the renewable energy sources that are either in commercial use or are the subject of serious research. **Rutgers University Energy Institute - by Daphne Speck-Bartynski & Anne Poole A comprehensive overview of renewable energy sources was presented at the Rutgers Energy Institute (REI) Mini-Symposium in May 2007, which NJEL Vice President Daphne Speck-Bartynski attended. There is now little disagreement among mainstream scientists that the carbon dioxide produced by the use of fossil fuels is a significant cause of global warming. Proposals for sequestering carbon dioxide and using it to produce fuels are in the news, but Institute Director Professor Paul Falkowski pointed out that humans are a million times more efficient at extracting and burning fossil fuels than they are at capturing and returning the resulting carbon dioxide to geologic formations. While storing, and even using carbon dioxide to produce certain fuels may be part of the solution for global warming, it is not likely to be a commercially viable option soon. To reduce carbon dioxide emissions, humans have no choice but to reduce their use of fossil fuels. REI's symposium covered an array of renewable energy technologies that went beyond the familiar topics of solar and wind power. Consumers need to educate themselves about these technologies so that they can choose energy products wisely. Consumers are also taxpayers and investors and in those roles, they need to demand the economic and political policies that will decrease the damage of global warming and ensure a sustainable economy. Much of the symposium's subject matter was highly technical but the program did provide basic descriptions of the various technologies. As a speaker pointed out, New Jersey does not consume enough oil to change the nation, but it does produce enough electricity to influence the way that the nation produces its energy In addition to the information provided at the Symposium, information in the following sections came from the Solar Energy Society of Canada (www.sesci.ca), the Electric Power Research Institute, (www.epri.com), and the MIT Technology Review (www. technologyreview.com). Photovoltaics- Conversion of light into electrical energy by the use of semiconductors. Recognizable examples are solar panel installations on buildings and solar-powered lights. Active and Passive Solar Energy-While photovoltaics converts sunlight into electricity, active and passive solar energy systems simply collect and distribute the sun's heat. In a passive system, a steady supply of solar energy is, simply, used, as in the sunlight coming through a window. There is no mechanical intervention or assistance. In an active system, pumps or fans are used to distribute the energy. Examples are solar-powered building systems that provide heat and/or hot water. Geophysical Fluids-include the elemental forces of wind and water. The public is familiar with hydroelectric dams and waterfall sited power plants. Although wind power accounts for a small share of electric production, awareness of it is growing. Wind power installations have a variety of configurations, from single windmills to wind farms composed of hundreds of large turbines. Hydroelectric and wind power are used in Europe with great success. These types of renewable energy could, when adopted in New Jersey, create jobs and produce clean energy that is cheaper than electricity produced from coal The "water" category includes more than dams and waterfalls. Water power includes wave, current, and tidal action, ocean thermal gradient, and salinity gradient, energy. A variety of devices are in place around the globe, being used to research and test electricity generation by these methods. There are sites in South Africa, Scotland, Ireland, Israel, Canada, Japan, and the U. S. In the case of wave, current, and tidal action, machines to harness that energy have taken many forms. Some with clever names like Wave Dragon and Sea Clam have already been determined ineffective, while others, notably the Sea Dog and the Pelamis Wave Energy Converter, show considerable promise. One invention, the Tidal In-Stream Energy Converter (TISEC) is in place in New York's East River for an 18 month test. The test is to determine if the six underwater turbines, similar in design to wind turbines, will have an impact on the River's fish. Ocean thermal gradient and salinity gradient use the power latent in differences in ocean temperatures and differences in salinity to generate electricity. In the last three years, almost 60 applications have been submitted to U.S. energy regulators for permits for water action installations. Biovoltaics-Less familiar to most of the public, but with research in progress, is the use of biological substances to produce energy or fuels. Luminescent bacteria are being studied, as are types of algae that contain an oil that scientists have dubbed "biocrude." Geothermal- Literally, earth heat. Most people are aware of the use of geothermal energy in Iceland, but geothermal energy, while a small percentage of the total used on our globe, is widely dispersed. Most of the user countries are in the Pacific Ring of Fire-Indonesia, Mexico, New Zealand. There is usage in France and Italy. An interesting factoid is that the first geothermal electricity was generated in 1904 in Italy. You may be surprised to learn that of the 7000 megawatts of geothermal electricity generated worldwide, a third is generated in the U.S. It is used in New Mexico, Oregon, and California. There are five geothermal electricity plants in Lake County, CA and the County has consistently met or exceeded Clean Air standards. Geothermal energy is not totally unintrusive, however, and there are some concerns about overexploitation. Drilling and piping are required. Biofuels-Probably the energy source that is now most covered by the media. A subject that was found occasionally in the mainstream general news, it is now a frequent topic in the business and investment media. First generation biofuels are those produced from the fermentation of starch, (ethanol from corn or cane sugar), or from oils (biodiesel). Ethanol is now controversial because of the large amounts of water and energy required to produce it. The demand for ethanol is also blamed for high corn prices and the resulting rise in animal feed costs. Brazil, which is oil-independent because almost all of its vehicles use biofuels, accomplished it at the cost of transforming rain forests into farmland. Second generation biofuels are produced from nonfoods, like plant cellulose (grasses) and algae. There is an expectation that these can be more efficient and environmentally benign than ethanol. ******* Energy storage is crucial for solar and wind power because frequency shifts create major changes in the energy grid. Frequency shifts are caused by lack of sun, decreased wind, and clouds passing over photovoltaics. A power grid needs energy storage capacity to offset such shifts . The U.S. Department of Energy is increasing funding to develop better storage so that when energy to the grid is decreased, stored energy can be used to generate electricity without interruption. Nano-enabled storage looks promising; additional advances are expected with lithium and lithium ion batteries and negative electrode storage. **** A good energy policy combines technology with economics and an appreciation of the public policy making process. Under New Jersey's Global Warming Response Act, which codifies an executive order issued previously by Gov. Corzine, our state is required to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by 2020, a reduction of roughly 20% . This is not just a plan, it is a mandate. Hopefully it will be met and, as the deadline nears, will not be rolled back because of inaction. Legislative Update - by Michael L. Pisauro Electronics Waste Recycling - In 2007 the Legislature took up the issue of removing certain electronic products from New Jersey's solid waste stream, recycling electronic materials where possible, and disposing of hazardous materials appropriately. To fund the recycling, fees would be imposed on electronic products, with most of the funds forwarded to counties for carrying out the recycling. Competing bills were introduced in the Assembly and the Senate. A notable difference between the bills was the point at which the recycling fee would be imposed. The Senate version, S-554 would impose the fee at the time of purchase, so that presumably the consumer would pay the fee. The Assembly bill, A-3573, would impose the fees upon the manufacturers. The fees would be calculated according to a formula using product weight, percentage of hazardous material in the product, and the manufacturer's market share. Under A-3573, the NJ Department of Environmental Protection would be responsible for administering the formula-based fee system. Some environmental and consumer groups favor A-3573 because it requires manufacturers to pay the fee at the beginning of the product stream. However, the NJEL Board was concerned about the bureaucratic apparatus that would be required to administer the system, collect manufacturing data, and audit that data. The effects of out-of-state sales, internet sales and resales were not clear. It was also likely that manufacturers would pass on the cost to he consumer, but the add-on would not be readily transparent to the consumer. Finally, a fee at the time of purchase would be expected to raise consumer awareness of the recycling program. An argument that a fee based on the percentage of toxic materials would encourage manufacturers to seek alternative materials does have merit, but at the present time we are not convinced that it offsets the complicated administrative framework that would no doubt develop. Neither bill includes cell phones or devices with screens smaller than 4 inches (i.e., PDAs). NJEL has requested that such devices be included. Both bills have passed out of their respective Environment Committees. Coastal & Ocean Protection Council - After several years, the Coastal Ocean Coalition (COC), comprised of both State and National environmental groups, sees one of its agenda items moving closer to reality in New Jersey. In 2003 and 2004, reports were released by two different national commissions that reviewed the health of the nation's coasts and oceans. The reports issued by the Pew Oceans Commission and the U. S. Commission on Ocean Policy were not in complete agreement on all points, but both concluded that the nation's coastal resources are in peril. In the face of delays by the Federal government in implementing the recommendations of the Commissions, the COC developed a plan of action that the State has the authority to pursue. One of these elements was the establishment of a Coastal Ocean Protection Council, a coordinating body that will apply ecosystem-based management to our coastal regions. The Council would be expected to balance what is best for the coastal ecology with the competing utilization interests--tourism, fishing, surfing, construction and, now, energy generation. One of the problems for coastal resource management in NJ is the variety of state and local agencies that regulate and monitor the coastal areas. This fractured framework is in itself problematic. *** In June the Assembly Environment and Solid Waste Committee passed out of committee a bill which would set-up the Coastal and Ocean Protection Council, an advisory body that would review and recommend actions to improve the health of the State's coastal and ocean environments. In September, at a special meeting at Monmouth University the Senate Environment Committee approved a similar bill. With NJEL as a member, the Coastal Ocean Coalition is advocating for passage of the bills in January. This is an important first step toward evaluating and mitigating the impacts that our development and commercial activities have had on this entire endangered environment, not just on "micro" segments or individual towns. ************ NJEL's Spring 2006 and Summer 2007 newsletters explained some of the concerns and recommendations of the Coastal Ocean Coalition and also explained the structure of the proposed Council. Those issues of the NJEL newsletter can be viewed at www.njenvironment.org. Contact your legislators and tell them to establish the Coastal and Ocean Protection Council. Don't know who your State legislators are? Visit www.njenvironment.org and click on "NJ Politicians." Some legislators will be changing in January. At that time our website will be updated to reflect the election results. The Vote For Open Space - Ballot Question 3 passed, but the margin was slim: statewide, only 54% of the voters voted in favor of the bond issue that will provide $200 million for open space and historic site preservation. There were surprising and disappointing results in some counties where open space preservation is particularly urgent to protect biodiversity and drinking water sources. Included are some counties within the Pinelands and Highlands regions. A majority of voters in Ocean and Atlantic Counties, both of which include fragile Pinelands and coasts, voted against Q. 3. Cape May was another coastal county where more voters said "no" rather than "yes" to open space funding. In northern New Jersey, slight majorities of voters in Hunterdon, Morris, Sussex, and Warren Counties rejected the ballot question. A number of environmental organizations, including NJEL, conducted voter education campaigns with printed material, emails, and telephone calls. Responses from some individuals contacted by NJEL, even those who consider themselves environmentalists, indicated that voters are very concerned about State spending and property taxes. Others lack confidence in the decision-making processes for selecting and negotiating property acquisitions. Although data show that open space generally keeps municipal costs down, apparently there are many voters who are unconvinced of the urgency to preserve open space and historic sites. It has been demonstrated repeatedly that large residential developments cost more in education and municipal services than the tax revenue that they generate. In particular, when a town's excess capacity in schools, water and sewer systems, and fire and police services is absorbed by new residents, the fixed costs of additional infrastructure and the next unit of operating costs (e.g., the additional teacher, the additional police officer the additional trash collector) increase the average cost per household. Is it just a New Jersey experience, a function of our density and high costs? Apparently not. Towns in other states have similar experiences. NJEL member Melanie Hobart was a member of a team that analyzed one year of municipal costs for Williamstown, MA, a rural community of 8,500 in the Berkshires, home of Williams College. For every $1 in revenue generated by a property category, the average costs to the town were 25 cents for open space, 42 cents for industrial/commercial, and a whopping $1.115 for residential. Protecting the Environment and the Public: A Conference on the Precautionary Principle - Monday March 3, 2008 - Date: Monday, March 3, 2008 Time: 9 AM ( check-in starts 8:15) to 5 PM Place: Main Lounge, Seton Hall University, South Orange Avenue, South Orange, NJ Speakers & Panelists: Senator Frank Lautenberg (invited), Dr. Adam Finkel, Dr. Theodore Schettler, Lois Gibbs (Love Canal Activist & Founder, Center for Health, Environment, & Justice), Dr. Michael Taylor, Debbie Raphael (Manager, Toxics Reduction Program, City of San Francisco) Conference to be followed by the New Jersey Environmental Lobby 2008 Awards Reception, Chancellor's Suite, Seton Hall University, 5 PM to 7:30 PM For registration and sponsorship information, email njel@earthlink.net or call Anne Poole, 609-894-4113 REMEMBER! The New Jersey Environmental Lobby is your voice in Trenton. We are an independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit organization focused on the preservation and protection of a healthy environment for all our citizens. We need your support! JOIN NJEL and help us change the laws! BACK TO TOP**