Press Releases
October 2, 2007
NJ State AFL-CIO Joins NJ Affordable, Clean Reliable Energy Coalition
Citing the need to address the dual challenges of protecting the environment while ensuring an affordable and reliable electricity supply, the New Jersey AFL-CIO has voted to join an independent statewide coalition formed to promote a range of clean energy sources, including the Oyster Creek nuclear plant, it was announced today.
The decision to formally join the New Jersey Affordable, Clean, Reliable Energy Coalition (NJ ACRE) was approved at the labor organization’s legislative conference held last week in Atlantic City, where NJ ACRE’s Chairman, Dr. Edward H. Salmon, and environmentalist and co-founder of Greenpeace, Dr. Patrick Moore, gave a presentation to the delegates.
“The men and women of the New Jersey State AFL-CIO are proud to join NJ ACRE and to do our part in educating the public about the necessity of supporting clean, reliable energy sources,” said Charles Wowkanech, President of the NJ AFL-CIO. “Supporting existing clean energy providers and the development of new ones will not only help our environment, but our economy – creating the potential for more quality jobs in the state of New Jersey.”
The New Jersey AFL-CIO is made up of more than a thousand union locals that in turn represent more than one million members employed in a wide variety of industries throughout the state. Historically, the labor group has been a strong voice within the community and state legislature for or against issues that impact the well-being of their members and their families.
Dr. Edward Salmon, a former president of the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities, praised the American labor movement for their commitment to meeting such important challenges as a cleaner environment, a stronger economy and more affordable, reliable electricity.
“Most New Jerseyans are in the dark about what it takes to light their homes – not to mention power their jobs, their schools and public institutions,” Dr. Salmon said, referring to a recent poll which found that while many New Jerseyans support nuclear power in meeting the rising demand for electricity, the public is not well informed about available clean energy options.
“Working together with our members, like the NJ AFL-CIO, this Coalition will help educate New Jerseyans about the importance of a diverse energy portfolio – one that includes solar, wind and nuclear – in meeting the state’s growing electricity demand and Gov. Corzine’s ambitious greenhouse gas reduction goals.”
The Coalition membership, which continues to grow, consists of local and state-wide leaders and leadership organizations representing the environmental, business, labor, academic, health, and civic communities. A list of current members includes:
- • African American Environmentalist Association
- • Chemistry Council of NJ
- • Commerce & Industry Association of NJ
- • Exelon Corporation
- • Fish Hawks (Lacey Township-based organization)
- • International Union of Painters & Allied Trades
- • New Jersey Chamber of Commerce
- • New Jersey Society for Environmental, Economic Development (NJ SEED)
- • NJ Alliance for Action
- • NJ Business & Industry Association
- • New Jersey International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (NJ IBEW and LU 1289)
- • New Jersey State AFL-CIO
- • Pasteris Energy, Inc.
- • Plumbers and Pipefitters (Union Local 322 and Local 9)
- • Salmon Ventures
- • Southern NJ Developmental Council
The Coalition also includes distinguished New Jerseyans such as:
- • The Honorable Jeremiah O'Connor (former State Senator and former New Jersey BPU Commissioner)
- • The Honorable Connie Hughes (former New Jersey BPU Commissioner)
- • The Honorable Carol Murphy (former New Jersey State Legislator & former New Jersey BPU Commissioner)
- • Dr. Fred Abbate (past Executive Director of the New Jersey Utilities Association)
- • The Honorable William Young (Former Assistant Secretary for Nuclear Energy in the U.S. Department of Energy)
- • The Honorable Brian A. Reid (Mayor of Lacey Township)
To learn more, please visit www.NJACRE.org
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The mission of the NJ Affordable, Clean, Reliable Energy Coalition is to generate public support for the production of clean, reliable, affordable, American energy to meet New Jersey's growing energy needs. The Coalition seeks to achieve this goal through increasing the public's awareness of the need to keep existing clean energy providers operational and to promote and support the development of new affordable clean sources.
The Coalition's immediate focus is to generate public support for renewal of the operating license of Oyster Creek Generating Station. The Coalition will increase public awareness about the benefits of Oyster Creek and the important role nuclear power plays in meeting New Jersey's electricity needs.
For more information, please contact:
Maury Donahue
for NJ ACRE
Phone:+1 (856) 308 3656
Maury@njacre.com