Praising her leadership on climate energy and environmental issues, the New Jersey League of Conservation Voters today endorsed Rep. Mikie Sherrill (D-Montclair) for the Democratic nomination for governor.
“She is far and away the best candidate to deliver bold environmental policy leadership that will make a crucial difference in fighting the climate crisis, lowering energy costs, and protecting our environment and every New Jersey family’s right to breathe clean air and drink pure water,” said the New Jersey LCV executive director, Ed Potosnak.
Potosnak said Sherrill has stood up for the state’s working families “against dirty oil and gas CEOs.”
“She has the ability to unite people across New Jersey from all walks of life around a shared vision of a brighter and more prosperous future for us all,” stated Potosnak.”
Sherrill pledged “bold investments to fix our grid and transition to clean energy” if she is elected governor.
“Not only will it create good-paying jobs of the future, it will produce emission-free energy sources while bringing more price stability for families,” she explained. “While Elon Musk and President Trump try to roll back our efforts to combat climate change, we have to chart a different path forward in New Jersey. I will work every day to reduce energy costs, build flood-resilient infrastructure, protect our open spaces, and make sure that every one of our children can drink clean water and breathe clean air, no matter their ZIP code.”
In a press conference Wednesday afternoon, Sherrill said she approves of Gov. Phil Murphy’s plan to eliminate fossil fuel use in the state by 2035 and said she would reassess the state’s Energy Master Plan to best achieve that goal. The Democratic congresswoman expressed some worries that the controversial Turnpike widening project could increase carbon emissions in nearby neighborhoods.
“How are we moving those trucks out of the ports without creating more carbon emissions over neighborhoods that have been, all too many times, receiving the ill health effects from that?” Sherrill said. “But I think we can get to that point where we are comfortable that we are not increasing the carbon impact on the neighborhoods.”
Sherrill also said she would be interested in further incorporating nuclear energy to the state’s power grid if the cost of nuclear decreases.
The LCV board chair, Randy Jones, said Sherrill has led on issues like sanitation, flood risk management, and the elimination of PFAS.
“Congresswoman Sherrill has earned New Jersey LCV’s full confidence,” said Jones. “Congresswoman Sherrill will serve as an outstanding Governor for New Jersey and will protect our environment and public health needs for years to come.”