Pallone Visits Solar Farm at Rutgers, Stresses Importance of Clean Power Plan, & Applauds Signing of Paris Climate Agreement
NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ – (RealEstateRama) — Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06), senior Democrat on the House Energy and Commerce Committee, visited the Rutgers Solar Farm in Piscataway on the 46th Earth Day to address the need for investments in clean energy in New Jersey and throughout the country. Middlesex Freeholder Charlie Kenny, Piscataway Mayor Brian Wahler and representatives from the League of Conservation Voters and Clean Water Action also attended the event.
In the coming weeks, Pallone will lead House Democrats in the Energy Bill conference between the House of Representatives and the Senate. Pallone will continue to advocate for providing real dollars and policies to better integrate solar and other renewables energy resources into the grid and promote the continued growth of facilities like the Solar Farm at Rutgers. In last year’s omnibus legislation, Pallone played a significant role in securing tax credits for wind and solar energy.
Last year, the Obama Administration proposed the Clean Power Plan, which establishes emission guidelines for states to follow in developing plans to control carbon pollution from existing power plants. Given New Jersey’s position being downwind from so many power plants in the Midwest, the Clean Power Plan is essential to protect the environment. While Republicans have attempted to gut the Clean Power plan in Congress, Pallone has been a strong proponent of efforts to curb carbon emissions. Earlier this month, he joined a bipartisan amicus brief in support of the Clean Power Plan in a case before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia.
“The Clean Power Plan is the single most significant step the U.S. has taken to reduce carbon pollution and take action on climate change,” said Congressman Pallone. “This historic effort will cut energy costs for consumers, protect the health of our children and grandchildren, create jobs in the clean energy economy, and help mitigate the disastrous effects of climate change. Lives will be saved, and New Jersey and the entire country will benefit from this long-overdue rule.”
“The Solar Farm here at Rutgers is an impressive example of the energy resources that the Clean Power Plan paves the way for. Together with the resources of outstanding institutions such as Rutgers and a national commitment to clean energy, we can lower the cost of energy, create jobs and protect our environment for generations to come.”
Pallone also commented on the ground breaking Paris Climate agreement signed by Secretary Kerry on Friday.
“I applaud President Obama for taking this crucial step on Climate Change. The Paris Agreement is the most significant achievement to advance unified and global climate action in nearly two decades. It ensures all nations will continue to take meaningful steps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in order to reduce the effects of climate change – steps that we are already taking at home through balanced policies like the Clean Power Plan. It also represents an unprecedented opportunity for the United States as the world leader in clean energy technology and only stands to gain from the markets that will grow out of this landmark agreement. I look forward to working to ensure the successful fulfillment of our commitments and implementation of this agreement.”
