Jim Waltman, executive director of the Watershed Institute, talks about “Enviro Fix in ’26,” environmentalists’ agenda for New Jersey’s next governor, during a news conference on Jan. 23, 2025, at the Statehouse in Trenton. Beside Waltman are Jennifer Coffey, executive director of the Association of New Jersey Environmental Commissions, and Ed Potosnak, executive director of the New Jersey League of Conservation Voters. (Dana DiFilippo | New Jersey Monitor)
Environmental leaders laid out an ambitious wish list for New Jersey’s next governor Thursday, calling on candidates of all parties to make environmental protection a top priority to counter the “dangerous tide arising from Washington, D.C.”
“The new administration and its supporters from polluting industries have made it very clear what their plan is, and that’s to pause, weaken, replace, and repeal programs designed to protect Americans’ health from environmental contamination and climate change,” said Jim Waltman, executive director of the Watershed Institute.
That makes state leadership to protect the Garden State’s air, water, and natural resources more important than ever, he added.
“We expect all of the candidates for governor to demonstrate this commitment to the residents of this state,” he said.
Gov. Phil Murphy is barred from seeking a third term in November. A host of candidates on both sides of the aisle have lined up to succeed him.
The groups listed several policy priorities in an agenda they dubbed “Enviro Fix in ’26,” including:
- Modernizing the electric grid to ensure the state meets its goal of 100% clean energy by 2035.
- Preserving open spaces and expanding access to parks.
- Expanding and greening public transportation by electrifying vehicles.
- Cleaning up the state’s drinking water by removing lead pipes, reducing contaminants, and improving stormwater infrastructure.
Sen. Bob Smith (D-Middlesex), who chairs the Senate’s environmental committee, joined environmental advocates Thursday at their news conference at the Statehouse to second their call to action. He listed greenhouse gas reduction and investments in the electric grid as priorities.
“We need to reduce our carbon and methane footprints dramatically,” he said. “We need a grid that works. The grid that we have out there in New Jersey is held together by bobby pins and chewing gum.”
He blasted President Trump’s order this week to halt leasing and permitting for offshore wind projects, saying wind energy — along with other renewable energies like solar — are key to New Jersey’s clean energy transition.
Anjuli Ramos-Busot, director of the Sierra Club’s New Jersey chapter, urged state leaders to reject the gas industry’s “gaslighting” and consider how green energy will benefit residents.
“Electrification will not only better promote public health and cut emissions, but it will also cut costs for New Jersey ratepayers as we transition away from the gas price volatility of fossil fuels,” Ramos-Busot said.
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