TRENTON, NJ – At a recent New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJ DEP) meeting, Trish Riley, a board member of the Centrist Democrats of America (CDA), expressed concerns over Governor Phil Murphy’s proposal to ban the sale of new gas and diesel-powered vehicles by 2035.
Riley began by emphasizing that the CDA believes Democrats are most effective when they lead from the political center. She expressed gratitude for the NJ DEP’s attention to the federal clean air state implementation plan and ACC2. While acknowledging the importance of transitioning to green energy, she cautioned that the proposed vehicle mandate might not be the ideal route.
The primary concern Riley raised was whether electric vehicles (EVs) are affordable and accessible enough for working families at this point. She highlighted that our nation’s EV infrastructure—particularly safe, reliable, and readily accessible charging—must be capable of handling the demands of millions of people, both in rural and urban locations.
The CDA conducted polling earlier this year to understand New Jersey residents’ attitudes towards electric vehicles. Riley stated that while a majority of voters are very concerned about climate change, only three percent believe limiting the sale of gas vehicles is the best approach for encouraging more EV usage. Similarly, only three percent of New Jersey voters consider increasing the number of electric vehicles to be the top funding priority.
As nations struggle with the devastating impacts of climate change, Riley argued that it’s vital to ensure environmental policies don’t become financial burdens on working families. She encouraged NJ DEP to consider the CDA’s polling data when implementing any proposals related to the gas car ban.
Riley concluded her statement by thanking the NJ DEP for the opportunity to present these facts and urged them to review the CDA’s polling data as they consider the implementation of Governor Murphy’s proposal.
