Robert Menendez

Some in Washington have declared war on the environment and any efforts to address pollution or climate change, but Senator Menendez works tirelessly to fight back. In the Garden State, we cherish our natural treasures. Protecting clean water and air, preserving recreational open spaces, and creating transit-oriented, walkable communities are important to ensuring a better quality of life for our communities, families, and children.

Throughout his career in public service, Sen. Menendez has fought to preserve and protect our natural heritage and resources throughout our state, our nation and the world, and he remains committed to protecting our environment and ensuring that our natural resources can be enjoyed by future generations.

Highlights:

• Blocking Attempts to Gut the Clean Air Act.  Defended recent rules from attacks by some in Congress who have tried again and again to halt the enforcement of the Clean Air Act.  As a result, thousands of New Jerseyans will avoid trips to the hospital and even premature deaths.  Senator Menendez will always put the health of New Jerseyans ahead of the interests of polluters.

• Energy Efficiency.  Created the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grants (EECBG) program as part of the 2007 energy bill. This program is providing $3.2 billion to build new green energy projects, create jobs, and lower municipal energy bills. Senator Menendez understood that transforming our energy industry needs to start with local leaders.  His EECBG program is providing New Jersey communities over $70 million in grants to invest in energy efficiency and renewable energy projects.

• Solar Power.  Helped lead the fight to extend solar tax credits until 2016, a cornerstone of a continued vibrant solar industry in New Jersey which has the second largest solar market in the country.  He also helped champion the 1603 Treasury Grant Program to help finance renewable energy projects.  The program led to 982 grants in New Jersey worth nearly $491.5 million, helping to leverage a $1 billion investment in the state’s economy.

• Protecting New Jersey from Offshore Drilling.  Stood up to the administration when plans were announced to allow offshore drilling in Virginia waters, less than 100 miles from Cape May. Senator Menendez demanded that the lease sale be cancelled.  He prevailed because he made the Department of Interior understand that putting at risk a New Jersey tourism and fishing economy worth tens of billions of dollars is simply not worth the risks associated with coastal oil drilling.

• Paterson Great Falls Historic District.  Helped enact legislation designating Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park as the United States 397^th national park. Senator Menendez ushered the bill through the Energy and Natural Resources Committee despite opposition from the National Park Service and skepticism over an urban national park. On November 7, 2011, he joined Interior Secretary Ken Salazar, Senator Frank Lautenberg and other officials in a ceremony to officially dedicate Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park which is home to one of the nation’s largest waterfalls that powered new industries and played a key role in shaping the American Industrial Revolution and building the U.S. economy.

• Protecting New Jersey’s Beaches and Flood-Prone Communities-- Secured $145 million in beach replenishment and $59.5 million in flood control programs.

Beaches:

• $29 million for Barnegat Inlet to Little Egg Inlet (Long Beach Island)
• $15 million for Great Egg Harbor Inlet and Peck Beach (Ocean City)
• $5 million for Raritan Bay and Sandy Hook Bay – Port Monmouth
• $7 million for Townsends Inlet to Cape May Inlet
  

Flood Control:

• $33 million for Raritan River Basin, Green Brook Sub-basin
• $20 million for Passaic River Basin projects
• $1 million for Lower Saddle River
• $1 million for Delaware River Comprehensive (General Investigations)