New Jersey Veto’s Ban on Natural Gas Hydraulic Fracturing Process
Local business and professional organizations joined together today to launch Natural Gas for New Jersey (NGNJ), a coalition committed to advancing the responsible development and affordable consumption of clean energy for the Garden State. In the wake of the state Legislature jeopardizing our economy through legislation to ban the process that enables production of most U.S. natural gas reserves, NGNJ’s members commended Governor Christie’s prudent response—vetoing the ban on the condition that state environmental officials take the necessary steps to ensure the process’ safety.
Governor Christie’s decision brings much-needed balance to the debate, enabling our environmental officials to continue refining oversight of the hydraulic fracturing process while also allowing our communities to continue benefiting from the low energy costs and new job opportunities driven by the natural gas boom
said John Harmon, president of the African American Chamber of Commerce NJ.
Hal Bozarth, executive director of the Chemistry Council of New Jersey explained
”Lower prices driven by U.S. natural gas development have been a game changer for our state’s manufacturers, which suffer from electricity rates 74 percent higher than the national average.”
“Though New Jersey’s not likely to see gas development in the foreseeable future, this ban would set a dangerous precedent for the rest of the nation,” added New Jersey Petroleum Council executive director Jim Benton. “The governor’s veto also examines neighboring states where gas development is occurring—a practical consideration the activist-driven ban does nothing to address.” New Jersey State Chamber of Commerce chairman Jeff Scheininger concluded, “Access to this more affordable, cleaner domestic energy source will mean the difference between accelerated economic growth vs. prolonged hard times, energy independence vs. energy dependence, and a cleaner energy source vs. more problematic energy sources.” Over 25,000 jobs and $4.4 billion in our state’s economy stemmed from the natural gas industry in 2008 alone. On a national level, those benefits total $385 billion and 2.8 million American jobs annually.
NGNJ members include:
African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey
America’s Natural Gas Alliance
Chemistry Council of New Jersey
New Jersey Chamber of Commerce
New Jersey Petroleum Council
New Jersey Society for Environmental, Economic Development
SOURCE Natural Gas for New Jersey
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