Murphy Proposes to Phase Out Gas-Powered Vehicles by 2035
The Murphy administration is proposing a new rule that would phase out the sale of new gasoline light-duty vehicles by 2035, joining California and up to a dozen other states transitioning to zero-emission vehicles.
The proposal, expected to be published in the New Jersey Register in August, aims to reduce carbon emissions by electrifying transportation in New Jersey, the state's single largest source of that pollution.
The initiative is strongly backed by environmentalists and clean energy advocates as critical to achieving the state’s goal of cutting greenhouse gas emissions to 80% below 2006 levels by mid-century. Supporters say curtailing the use of gasoline-powered vehicles is also necessary to improve air quality in many urban and disadvantaged areas whose residents disproportionately suffer negative health effects from such emissions.
If adopted, the rule would ramp up sales requirements for new passenger vehicles cars and light trucks to primarily electric vehicles over the course of the next decade with a 100% EV sales requirement by 2035.
Publishing the proposed rule by August 21 and adopting it by the end of the calendar year will trigger the sales requirements to kick in by the model year 2027.
Chris Christie qualifies for Republican Debates
Former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie has secured more than 40,000 individual donations to his presidential campaign, clearing a key threshold to qualify for next month’s first Republican primary debate.
“I’m glad to be able to tell people that last night we went past 40,000 unique donors in just 35 days,” Christie said. “There is a donor in every state in America, and we have over 200 donors in 36 states.”
Christie added that when he ran for the Republican presidential nomination eight years ago, he had only 5,000 donors 35 days into his campaign.
“We’re really thrilled about it, and the good news for the Republican Party is that means I’m going to be on the debate stage,” added Christie.
NJ improves in CNBC business rankings
According to CNBC’s annual Top States for Business ranking, New Jersey was the most improved state in the country, jumping 23 places to No. 19 overall. It is the first time that New Jersey was in the top half of the rankings, which rate states on 10 categories, everything from cost of doing business to cost of living — infrastructure to education.
New Jersey ranked highest in a category called “Life, health and inclusion” (ranking No. 3 overall) and Education (ranking No. 4).
Despite the jump in the overall rankings, the state still ranked poorly in two key categories: Cost of doing business (No. 44) and being business-friendly (No. 48).
CNBC, in its story on the state, cited New Jersey’s rise in the overall economy category (up to No. 19 from No. 50 a year ago) as the biggest reason for the state’s big jump in the overall rankings.
CNBC pointed to the fact that the state’s economy grew by 2.6% last year (the 13th-best in the country), and helping to lead the surge is one of the strongest housing markets in the nation. It also noted the state’s ability to make a full pension payment — along with two credit-level upgrades by all the major rating services.
RCSG Summer Reading Recommendations 2023
Since summer is a great time to catch up on some reading, the River Crossing Team put together the following list of book recommendations. Enjoy and happy reading!
Eric Shuffler:
Kevin McCabe:
Janellen Duffy:
Doug Hritz:
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