Congress Candidate Welle Bashes Trump's ACE Environmental Policy

MANALAPAN, NJ — Josh Welle, the Democrat running for Congress in New Jersey's fourth congressional district, came out strongly this week against President Trump's controversial new environmental policy, the Affordable Clean Energy Rule (ACE).

ACE is widely seen as setting a much lower bar for reducing CO2 emissions compared to the Obama-era policy it replaces, the 2015 Clean Power Plan. One key point of ACE that starkly differs from Obama policy is that it leaves it to each individual state to set their own guidelines for reducing greenhouse gas emissions from coal-fired power plants. For example, high coal-producing states, such as Kentucky and West Virginia, would have it at their discretion to not reduce CO2 emissions as much as states such as New York or New Jersey.

Trump has not been shy about his desire to help the nation's struggling coal industry, and save jobs. His policy would allow coal-fired plants to run longer if they became more efficient. The Trump administration also argues that greenhouse gas emissions will continue to decline in coming years, but as a result of natural market pressures and without regulations from the federal government.

Welle, like many Democrats across the country, called it "a giant step backwards in environmental policy."

“The health and longevity of the people and our planet should be the first concern of our government,” said Welle. “Climate change threatens our health, our national security, our economy, and our future."

Welle is trying to unseat the Republican congressman, Rep. Chris Smith, who has represented New Jersey's 4th District for decades. In a press release last week, Welle used ACE as a chance to attack Smith.

"Policies like these will destroy our planet for future generations, and Smith is looking away from the problem," Welle said in a statement. "Representative Chris Smith has voted against numerous proposals on the House floor that would move to strengthen the nation’s policy on climate change. This proposal has sparked no remarks from Smith or his campaign for reelection to NJ-4."

Welle's campaign pointed to a 2015 vote by Smith in favor of the America COMPETES Reauthorization Act, which contained targeted cuts for Department of Energy funding aimed at limiting scientific and climate change research.

Smith's campaign responded by saying that he does indeed think climate change is real, and that just this past Congressional session, Smith was one of just four House Republicans to vote in favor of addressing the impacts of climate change and moving towards clean energy when it comes to development of public lands.

Smith also has the second highest rating from the League of Conservation Voters out of all Republicans in Congress. He has fought attempts by both the Obama and Trump administrations to open up the Atlantic Ocean off New Jersey for oil drilling, his campaign manager, Scott Maraldo, said. In fact, he is a co-sponsor of legislation banning the practice.

"Chris’ exceptional record of environmental advocacy is deep and well known by citizens of NJ-04," said Maraldo. "His Democrat opponent needs to do his homework instead of trying to mislead voters."

See if you live in New Jersey's Fourth Congressional District here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/...

The midterm election is Nov. 6.

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