N.J. group predicts more extreme weather events, urges Christie and U.S. to act

A new report by an environmental group finds that extreme weather events are becoming more frequent in New Jersey — and they’re being influenced by global warming.

Dan DeRosa with Environment New Jersey says carbon pollution from power plants, cars and trucks is fueling global warming that likely will result in more extreme weather.

Gov. Chris Christie should reconsider his decision to pull the state out of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, DeRosa said Tuesday.

“Every year that New Jersey sits on the sidelines and is not part of this program, we lose out on $150 million in clean energy financing, money that could go to solar and building efficiency,” he said.

U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone, D-New Jersey, says right-wing lawmakers in Washington D.C. are thwarting efforts to deal with climate change.

“This has to be a priority, and we’re just going to have to try to find some moderate Republicans who will join with the Democrats and overrule those on the right, the tea party, that just refuse to acknowledge the science,” he said.

He’s urging the U.S. to be part of proposed international treaties that would reduce carbon emissions.

Pallone, who also wants more focus on renewable energy, said he is concerned that tax credits to encourage solar and wind power have been reduced or eliminated.