WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) today applauded the ruling by the Appellate Division of the New Jersey Superior Court. This morning the court ruled that the Department of Environmental Protection has 60 days to start a new process allowing New Jersey residents to weigh in on the state's carbon pollution regulations first established under the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (or RGGI). RGGI is a nine-state program that has been reducing climate-changing pollution from East Coast power plants for the last five years.

"I applaud today's decision by the Superior Court," said Sen. Menendez. "These power plant limitations are an important piece of our regional answer to carbon pollution. Allowing New Jerseyans to weigh in on these protections will give our residents a voice and a role in creating a healthy environment and a clean energy future. I hope that today's decision will help keep the state at the forefront of the discussion on climate change and on the cutting edge of the clean energy sector."

Sen. Menendez sits on the newly formed Climate Action Task Force and supports bold action to reduce the United States' greenhouse gas emissions. He previously joined several of his Senate colleagues in calling for the most ambitious and comprehensive plans to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions by 80% in 2050, and has advocated for the extension of tax credits that encourage investment in renewable energy sources. Additionally, the Senator has introduced legislation to close tax loopholes for the five biggest oil companies, who post record profits while irreparably altering our climate, and is a strong supporter of the Environmental Protection Agency's plans to regulate carbon emissions from power plants. In his capacity as the Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Sen. Menendez has jurisdiction over international negotiations to develop a global climate change agreement and efforts to help promote sustainable development worldwide.

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