Great Support from the Community Against LNG

THANK YOU!

To all of the citizens who joined us in Long Beach, NY, Edison, NJ and Sea Bright, NJ, we thank you for taking a stand to keep our oceans free of industrialization.

Young advocates at the Sea Bright citizens hearing

Tuesday, July 9, 2013: Public Hearing in Long Beach, NY

Over 350 citizens attended the public hearing in Long Beach, NY

Environmental groups including COA, Catskills Citizens for Safe Energy,

Food and Water Watch, Concerned Citizens of Montauk, and the Surfrider Foundation spoke out against 

the Port Ambrose Liquefied Natural Gas facility at a press conference just before the public hearing on 

the matter at the Allegria Hotel in Long Beach, NY on Tuesday, July 9, 2013. The groups cited threats to 

tourism, commerce, and the marine environment, the connection to hydraulic fracturing (“fracking”) 

upstate, the deficiencies in the application, and the fact that an identical project was vetoed by 

Governor Christie all as reasons to reject this project. Hundreds of citizens attended and spoke out 

against the project at the public hearing as well.

Wednesday, July 10, 2013: Public Hearing in Edison, NJ

Press conference before the public hearing in Edison, NJ

COA, Food and Water Watch, and Edison Wetlands Association blasted the offshore Port Ambrose Liquefied Natural Gas facility at a press conference just before the public hearing at the New Jersey Expo and Convention Center in Edison, NJ on Wednesday, July 10, 2013.  Hundreds of citizens attended and spoke out against the project at the public hearing as well, with momentum building in opposition to Port Ambrose following last night’s public hearing in Long Beach, NY.

Thursday, July 11, 2013: Citizen Hearing in Sea Bright, NJ

Over 150 citizens at the citizens hearing in Sea Bright, NJ

Hundreds of citizens, including Congressman Frank Pallone, Senator Jen Beck, Mayor of Sea Bright Dina Long and Oceanport Council President Joseph Irace, gathered for a hearing organized by Clean Ocean Action to speak on the proposed project by Liberty Natural Gas at Sea Bright Public Beach in Sea Bright, NJ on Thursday, July 11, 2013.  Citizens were outraged that the federal agencies ignored the coast and did not set up a public  hearing along the Jersey Shore.

The fight against Liquefied Natural Gas isn't over. 

While no additional hearings have been announced, comments from the public can still be entered into the official record.

Governor Christie and Governor Cuomo can still veto this project.  Call and tell our elected officials that you are against the Port Ambrose LNG project.  You can reach Governor Christie at (609) 292 - 6000 and Governor Cuomo at (518) 474-8390.

Other ways to help:

• Take Action: Sign Surfrider's petition against LNG
• Get the Facts on Liberty LNG’s Port Ambrose Application Here
• Take Action: Sign one of Catskills Citizens for Safe Energy's petitions against LNG

NJ Bill to Reduce Plastic Bag Pollution and Support Barnegat Bay Passes Committee

NJ Bill to Reduce Plastic Bag Pollution and Support Barnegat Bay Passes Committee

Photo Credit: http://www.seaturtle.org/imagelib/?photo=4364

(Trenton, New Jersey) – Clean Ocean Action testified before the Senate Environment and Energy Committee  in general support of Senate Bill 812, the “Carryout Bag Reduction and Recycling Act,” a bill that would provide financial incentives to reduce the number of paper and plastic carryout bags distributed by stores.  The bill proposes that the funds generated would be directed to help improve water quality in Barnegat Bay and passed in Committee today.  However, COA urged that in the short term, a substantial portion of the proceeds go toward removing massive debris fields in the marine environment caused by Sandy.

The bill, sponsored by Senator Bob Smith, Chairman of the Committee, would require the operator of every convenience store, drugstore, supermarket or retail establishment that provides carryout bags to its customers to implement a $0.05 fee for every carryout bag distributed beginning January 1, 2014.   Additional incentives encourage customers to bring reusable bags.

Twice each year, Clean Ocean Action holds state-wide Beach Sweeps where volunteers from across New Jersey gather at over 70 locations from Cape May to Essex County, recording and tallying data of the amount of debris collected.  According to Clean Ocean Action’s Beach Sweeps report for 2011, 8,245 plastic shopping bags were collected in just two days (by 7,575 volunteers).

Testifying on behalf of COA, Zach McCue, Citizen Action Coordinator said, “While plastic bags may not be the number one item collected during beach sweeps, they still contribute significantly to the unnecessary amount of waste on our shores.  This bill takes action to reduce needless pollution while starting a much needed dialogue on the public’s usage of single use disposable plastic.”

Reducing the use of single use bags with financial incentives will dramatically reduce the consumption of plastic bags, as well as provide resources for reducing pollution. Many business leaders in NJ are already encouraging people to bring their own bags.  A statewide reduction of plastic bag use is necessary to ensure this law is fair and effective.

“According to Beach Sweep data, we have noticed an apparent decline in smoking related debris with the increase of smoking bans in public places,” stated Tavia Danch, Clean Ocean Action Education Coordinator.  “We are hoping to see a similar result with a plastic bag reduction law.  In addition, the purchase of cigarettes includes fees which help fund programs to improve public health.  Similarly, this Bag Reduction law will direct the funds generated by this environmental threat to help improve water quality,” added Danch. 

Clean Ocean Action supports, S812, in general with initial recommendations and may have further suggestions.  For the first 5 years, allowing a substantial portion of the revenues generated by the bill should be used to help municipalities fund the clean-up of marine debris caused by Hurricane Sandy, including communities of the Barnegat Bay.  Much of the debris, including displaced boats, cars, and refrigerators, are hazardous to habitats and wildlife and contain toxins. The price of cleaning shorelines and waterways may cost millions of dollars and funds from S812 could help defray those costs.

Following the initial 5 years, funds should then be directed solely to the Barnegat Bay to improve water quality.  After 10 years from passage, the bill should require a reassessment of funding structures to consider future needs to improve water quality.  Clean Ocean Action is also concerned with the enforceability of the bill, and asked the Committee to put measures in place to assure that the NJDEP will enforce the provisions and produce the reports that are stipulated in the bill.

“We are encouraged that NJ may join the growing efforts in the US and around the world to reduce this harmful, and avoidable source of pollution, waste, and litter, as well as fund important work to improve water quality,” said Cindy Zipf, Executive Director of COA.

ACTION ALERT: Victims of Sandy-- Let your voices be heard!

**ACTION ALERT**
Victims of Hurricane Sandy 

Attend New Jersey Senate Hearing

Tuesday, December 11th at 3pm

This is an important opportunity.  NJ elected officials rarely hold hearings outside of Trenton that call for citizen testimony.  It is essential that your voices and experiences are heard.  Please attend the meeting and tell the NJ Senators your stories.  We also encourage you to talk about how we need to ensure restoration efforts that protect people and the environment going forward.

The Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee will be holding a hearing in Genevieve M. Hawley Cafetorium at the Henry Hudson Regional School (One Grand Tour Highlands, NJ 07732) tomorrow, Tuesday, December 11, at 3 PM.  The committee will take testimony from members of the public who have been impacted by Super-storm Sandy.  Members of the public wishing to testify can register by emailing OLSAideSBA@njleg.org, faxing (609) 943-5995, or calling the SBA Committee staff at (609) 847-3835.  Those persons presenting written testimony are asked to provide 20 copies on the day of the hearing.