For Immediate Release: January 6, 2019
Contact: Norah Langweiler, 609-214-5110, [email protected]

Trenton, NJ – On Monday, January 6 the NJ Assembly celebrated the New Year by passing electric vehicle bill A4819. The bill is an essential step to reducing New Jersey’s greenhouse gas emissions, a major portion of which comes from the transportation sector. By setting goals for electric vehicle sales and charging infrastructure, creating a comprehensive rebate program, and incentivizing NJ Transit to electrify its fleet, the state is making a clear statement that New Jersey will be an East Coast leader in emissions reductions.

The bill passed through the Assembly Environment and Solid Waste Committee with a unanimous bipartisan vote of 6-0 and Assembly Budget and Appropriations with a bipartisan vote of 10-1. Tentatively, the bill will be heard by the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee on Thursday, January 9.

Over a dozen Jersey Renews partners were at the statehouse in support of the bill, with representation from the broad coalition including NJWEC, Environment NJ, GreenFaith, Isles, Anti-Poverty Network, Tri-State Transportation Campaign, NJ Sustainable Business Council, and others.

“The statewide infrastructure outlined in this bill will provide good-paying jobs in manufacturing and technology for New Jersey families and clean up our communities at the source of emissions – the tailpipe, said Norah Langweiler, campaign organizer for Jersey Renews. The timeline for NJ Transit to electrify its bus fleet bolsters the commitment to clean air and good jobs and reduces emissions in the most heavily-populated and polluted areas in the state.”

“Investing in new industries like electric vehicles and associated charging infrastructure creates new, family-sustaining jobs in manufacturing and maintenance. A4819 ensures cleaner air for families and workers by reducing particulate matter emissions that directly impact frontline communities,” said Debra Coyle McFadden, executive director for New Jersey Work Environment Council.

“The EV bill is now going from 0 to 60 to get across the finish line of this legislative session just in time to allow New Jersey to reach its Clean Car mandates to get more electric vehicles on the road,” said Doug O’Malley, director of Environment New Jersey. “Electric vehicles remain one of the best ways to clean up our air & fight climate change, but we need to supercharge their adoption. The best way to make EVs common is to build a fast-charging network of EV chargers along our busiest roadways, to provide rebates to purchase more EVs and electrify NJ Transit buses. We urge the Legislature to pass the EV bill in the next week.”

“Breath is life. That’s the simple reason that New Jersey needs to push the accelerator on electric vehicles. Our urban communities need cleaner air and protection from climate change, and we support this new legislation as an important step in the right direction,” said Fletcher Harper, executive director of GreenFaith.

“Finally, the roadblocks to make EV’s a reality in New Jersey are being lifted. This legislation is more critical because cars and trucks are the biggest source of air pollution in our state. Over 45% of our greenhouse gasses in New Jersey come vehicles and our state suffers from failing air levels. Air pollution is impacting the health of the public, especially our children. This bill is the first major step in reducing pollution, especially ground level ozone and GHG’s from our transportation sector,” said Jeff Tittel, Director of the New Jersey Sierra Club. “It is critical for the legislature and Governor Murphy to pass and sign this comprehensive electric vehicle legislation. We can see the benefits of clean air and clean jobs through building the infrastructure and getting electric cars on the road. This will help create green jobs, save people money on gas, and reduce air pollution.”

“Electrifying our transportation system is an opportunity to uplift our communities by cleaning our air, creating jobs, and expanding mobility options for residents who don’t own personal vehicles,” said Katharina Miguel, Clean Energy Advocate, Isles. “Passing this EV bill would be a step towards equity, and will ultimately make New Jersey a healthier and more prosperous state.”

“Transportation is the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in the state and emissions do not wait for the next legislative session. They are literally killing people and burning up the planet,” said Amy Goldsmith, Clean Water Action, State Director. “Passing this bill in the next week gives us a chance. Increasing the number of electric vehicles on our roads is a foundational pillar for reducing carbon emissions and health-impacting air pollutants, growing the economy, creating good jobs, and protecting public safety and private property. ”

“Today, New Jerseyans can take a breath of fresh air. As the important electric vehicle bill to reduce pollution from the transportation sector begins it’s way through the Assembly, we want to thank legislative leaders and the administration for making this legislative session the most environmentally productive in over a decade,” said Ed Potosnak, Executive Director of New Jersey League of Conservation Voters.

The State of New Jersey is one of the largest transportation corridors in the world and nearly 50% of greenhouse gas emissions in state are caused by the transportation sources, which is linked to high and increasing levels of lung disease in children and adults. New Jersey is now positioned to enact of bold policy for the well-being of our State and its residents.

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About Jersey Renews

Jersey Renews is a broad coalition of labor, environment, and faith organizations working to make New Jersey a leader in climate policy by increasing clean energy infrastructure, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and ensuring good, family-sustaining jobs in the transition to a clean energy economy. www.jerseyrenews.org