The New Jersey Public Interest Research Group (NJPIRG) is an advocate for the public interest. We uncover threats to public health and well-being, and fight to remove these threats. Our mission is to deliver persistent, result-oriented advocacy that protects consumers’ rights and encourages a fair, sustainable economy.
Create Efficient Energy Solutions
How efficiently we use our energy affects our economy, our environment, our health and our pocketbooks. Increasing energy efficiency puts consumers ahead of big energy companies, cuts our dependence on dirty fossil fuels, and improves public health. NJPIRG supports two bills that in combination would cut energy electricity demand by 6.9 percent, reduce natural gas consumption by 5.3 percent and save consumers $7.6 billion over 15 years by:
• Setting energy-saving building codes for new buildings, most dramatically by improving insulation and window standards (A3595/S2154).
• Setting energy-saving standards for common household and commercial appliances and equipment like residential furnaces and boilers.
Demand Responsible Toll Road Policies
Privatizing New Jersey’s toll roads poses many major potential risks to the public interest: decades of significant toll hikes; restrictions on where and how New Jersey can improve and expand its transportation network; loss of public control, input and accountability for critical decisions; burdensome commitments for future generations; and illusory financial benefits. NJPIRG:
• Opposes any effort to monetize our toll roads that does not protect and advance the public’s interests.
Close Oyster Creek When Its License Expires
Oyster Creek Nuclear Plant in Ocean County is the nation’s oldest nuclear power plant. Its current license expires in 2009, but Exelon has applied for a 20-year license extension. NJPIRG is working to ensure Oyster Creek closes on schedule because its continued operation endangers over a million New Jerseyans. Oyster Creek has a history of safety problems; corrosion of the liner containing the reactor puts the risk of a major accident. A terrorist attack could trigger a radioactive fire. To ensure the plant closes on time, NJPIRG is:
• Urging Governor Corzine to oppose the re-licensing.
• Participating in proceedings at the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Protect Against Identity Theft
Last year, New Jersey enacted one of the country’s best identity theft prevention acts, including the security freeze. However, we still need to make it more convenient for consumers both to create the freeze and lift it. NJPIRG supports legislation to improve the security freeze by:
• Enabling consumers to place and lift the freeze by mail, phone or internet.
• Reducing the costs of the freeze.
• Mandating that a freeze lifts within 15 minutes.
Disclose Prescription Drug Studies
Prescription drugs are miracles of modern medicine, but they all carry risks. Doctors and patients need full and accurate information about drugs’ risks and benefits. No comprehensive repository of such clinical trial information currently exists. NJPIRG supports legislation that:
• Creates a comprehensive, internet-based clinical trial registry and results database containing all the clinically relevant information for all trials of all drugs sold in New Jersey (A2951/S2307).
Require Fire Safe Cigarettes
Cigarettes are the leading cause of death from fires in New Jersey. Cigarette fires also cause tremendous financial losses, including property damage as well as emergency room and burn-care unit costs. It is now possible to make fire safe cigarettes; they go out when the smoker stops smoking the cigarette. Six states, including New York, have already required fire safe cigarettes. NJPIRG supports:
• Legislation to require fire safe cigarettes for New Jersey (A2575/S2043).
Recycle Electronic Waste
The electronic products we rely on contain toxic metals and contaminate our environment when we include them in our trash. NJPIRG supports legislation (A3572) that would:
• Hold producers responsible for recycling e-waste, giving them a powerful incentive to make them less toxic and easier to recycle.
• Create a flexible “pay to play” approach.
• Use New Jersey’s existing recycling infrastructure, retaining and creating jobs.
Protect Consumers’ Rights
Numerous problems continue to make life difficult for New Jersey consumers, in areas ranging from the pocketbook to consumer privacy. NJPIRG supports legislation to:
• Implement recommendations of a state commission to provide homebuyers more recourse against shoddy home construction practices.
• Prohibit businesses from selling consumers’ personal information without consumers’ affirmative consent.
• Allow prompt dismissal of frivolous suits filed by businesses trying to silence citizens who publicly criticize them.