Gov. Peter Shumlin issued the following statement following news that New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie will pull his state out of RGGI:

“I am deeply disappointed to hear of Governor Christie’s decision to pull New Jersey out of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative. RGGI is a leading model for recognizing the cost and impact of global warming, and for generating incentives to support efficiency and renewable projects in the Northeast. 

RGGI is something to be proud of and to embrace, not something to raid for short-term budget gains -- as has occurred in some states recently -- or to reject for political gain.  We cannot deny the impact of greenhouse gas emissions on our planet; we should not abandon our responsibility to future generations who count on us to do the right thing.  I believe we must redouble our efforts to reduce our impact on the climate.  The planet is not a political football – we need serious, stable, and long-term policy in place to reverse our climate impact.  That is why  I think Governor Christie’s decision to abandon RGGI, a cornerstone of that policy, is wrong.”