New Jersey
U.S. House votes to repeal Biden auto emissions rule • New Jersey Monitor
The U.S. House voted, 215-191, on Friday to roll back an Environmental Protection Agency rule strengthening standards for air pollution from car and truck tailpipes.
Eight Democrats joined all but one Republican present in voting to approve a resolution under the Congressional Review Act, which allows Congress to undo certain executive branch rules, to disapprove of the rule that was announced in March.
The rule would set up a multiyear schedule to lower the limit on greenhouse gas emissions by passenger vehicles by nearly half by 2032.
Democrats Yadira Caraveo of Colorado, Henry Cuellar and Vicente Gonzalez of Texas, Don Davis of North Carolina, Jared Golden of Maine, Marcy Kaptur of Ohio, Mary Peltola of Alaska and Marie Gluesenkamp Perez of Washington voted for the resolution.
Pennsylvania Republican Brian Fitzpatrick was the lone GOP member to vote against the resolution.
President Joe Biden has pledged to veto the resolution if it reaches his desk.
“The rule sets performance-based standards that manufacturers can meet using a wide range of technologies and avoids over seven billion metric tons of carbon emissions while significantly reducing other pollutants,” the White House Office of Management and Budget said in a statement of administration policy. “These standards will provide important health benefits to millions across the country.”
‘Force-fed EVs’
Republicans on the House floor Friday argued the rule was a mandate for U.S. consumers to buy electric vehicles, often called EVs, which they said were still riddled with reliability issues, especially for rural drivers and drivers in colder climates.
“Americans are being force-fed EVs and they’re being force-fed a lie saying that driving EVs is going to save the planet,” House Natural Resources Chair Bruce Westerman, an Arkansas Republican, said.
Democrats, who largely favor the rule, described the regulation as a common-sense measure to reduce pollutants that cause climate change and health issues such as asthma.
The rule does not mandate electric vehicles, House Energy and Commerce ranking Democrat Frank Pallone of New Jersey said.
“We’re not mandating EVs, we’re not forcing anybody to use EVs. I’m going to say that over and over again,” Pallone said. “What we are doing is trying to reduce air pollution and this resolution is a step backwards in addressing dangerous air pollution.”
The resolution’s sponsor, Michigan’s Rep. John James, was among the Republicans making an economic argument about the EPA rule, saying it would drive costs of vehicles higher than many Americans can afford.
“I think about every hardworking American whom Washington has forgotten when we talk about making vehicles that are affordable and making a nation that is competitive,” he said.
Saving money
Colorado Democratic Rep. Diana DeGette countered that argument, saying the standards would “save the average American driver an estimated $6,000 over the life of a vehicle.”
“My colleagues on the other side of the aisle seem to think this is bad for consumers when in fact it’s good,” she said.
The transportation sector is the single largest contributor to U.S. greenhouse gas emissions, according to the EPA’s rule. The sector accounts for 29% of emissions, with the light-duty vehicles covered by the rule comprising 58% of those emissions.
New Jersey
Jersey Shore beach roped off to protect nesting birds just in time for Memorial Day weekend
They took them under their wing.
A large stretch of a Jersey Shore beach is roped off to protect a bird’s nest just in time for Memorial Day weekend.
A pair of American Oystercatchers made their home on the sand in Belmar — and New Jersey Fish and Wildlife is prohibiting beachgoers from trespassing in the area to protect them and their eggs, according to NJ Advance Media.
The agency erected signs at 7th Avenue Beach — one of the most popular spots in Belmar — that say “Do Not Enter,” and explain that the area is a nesting area for the shorebirds, which are protected under federal law.
The placards also warn that “harassing these birds, their eggs or their young” can incur a $50,000 fine or jail time.
The birds are not listed as endangered or threatened species in New Jersey, according to Conserve Wildlife Foundation of New Jersey.
However, their status has been to changed to one of “special concern.”
Many on social media agreed with the agency’s efforts to protect the creatures, which are known for their black and white body and long orange-red bill.
“Love love love this!!!! Beautiful birds! One of my favorite!” one gushed.
“Leave that cute birdie alone people,” another added.
Others thought even more safety precautions were needed.
“We should send a biologist or conservation police to guard the area,” one wrote.
DEP officials told the outlet that the length of time the area would be closed will be determined by whether the chicks opt to remain there after hatching.
If the baby birds decide to relocate to another spot on the beach, that new area will be closed off instead, the agency added.
It’s been nearly a decade and a half since the Brooklyn Nets moved out of New Jersey.
The organization has completely revamped its vibe since switching states, ditching the red, white and blue look for a very basic black and white colorway.
The Nets have also intermittently changed the colors of the banners hanging up in the Barclays Center from red, white and blue to black and white, much to the chagrin of traditional Nets fans.
Despite the Nets now playing in a bigger market and being far removed from their days in the Garden State, some fans seem to hope for the Nets to make their return across the river. New Jersey governor Mikie Sherrill was asked about the matter.
“I mean, would I support it? I ask about it all the time,” Sherrill said. “I love the idea. So, I have been pressing for that. I haven’t made a lot of headway yet; you know, maybe in my second 100 days.
“But I do think there is some work being done for some — I don’t know if I’m allowed to say too much about it — but some people are working on some different sports coming into the Rock.”
As time went on, the Nets eventually started to embrace more of their New Jersey roots, which started when they rocked a clean tie-dye jersey from the 90s during the 2020-21 season.
The next season, the Nets followed it up with uniforms commemorating their run in the 2000s, when the team got to the NBA Finals in 2002 and 2003 and endlessly broke the ESPN top 10 with each crazy Jason Kidd assist and Vince Carter dunk.
It’s fitting that Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, the latter of whom grew up in New Jersey as a Nets fan, got to rock these uniforms, helping boost the popularity of the New Jersey brand to a wide array of fans.
True Nets fans embraced the Continental Airlines Arena/Izod Center and the swamps of East Rutherford, getting to witness a winning basketball team for a fraction of the cost of the team mired in dysfunction that happened to play their home games at “The World’s Most Famous Arena.”
Not many marquee free agents would have signed up to play in New Jersey, but real fans remember the good times in the swamps, especially with Sly the Fox as the team’s mascot. Those times deserve to be remembered properly.
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ATLANTIC COUNTY, N.J. (WPVI) — Drivers heading to the shore on Friday afternoon saw slow-moving traffic for several miles coming off the Walt Whitman bridge, but many travelers said the start of the holiday weekend was smoother than they anticipated.
Aldara Madden, who was traveling with her friend Elana Maser, said the trip moved faster than she expected.
“I was expecting it to take a lot longer,” she said.
Maser added that they left school early to avoid delays.
“My mom and I do that every year and then we always stop here as our little pre-down the shore,” she said.
Others shared similar experiences.
“I’m coming from Bucks County, so I was worried there was gonna be some traffic but it really wasn’t bad at all,” said Erin McFadden of Churchville, who was headed to Ocean City.
AAA reported that while slightly more people are traveling by car this year compared to last, 2026 is projected to have the lowest year-over-year travel growth rate in more than a decade, excluding the steep drop seen in 2020 during the pandemic.
The organization attributes the slowdown largely to concerns over rising prices.
“Gas is ridiculously expensive and I think all the time before going anywhere these days,” said Debbie Maser of Philadelphia. “But this is our happy place and nothing can keep us away.”
A dreary weekend forecast may also be influencing travel patterns.
“I was thinking that, I wonder if there’ll be less congestion on the roads because of the weather,” said Kyra Wolin of Massachusetts. “It’s not looking to be too good this weekend with the rain.”
Still, many shore-bound travelers said tradition outweighs any concerns about rain or crowds.
“No not at all. You go down. You get it done,” said George Miller of Lansdale.
Eric Wolin of Massachusetts agreed: “Never, never. Margate’s a special place for us.”
As the unofficial start of summer begins, travelers said they remain committed to kicking off the season in their favorite spots, not letting rain, traffic, or high prices keep them away.
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