New Jersey voters may soon decide whether they have a right to a clean environment

TRENTON, N.J. (AP) — New Jersey, known as much for its beaches and blueberries as for the chemical plants and refineries that line some of its major highways, is considering asking voters a fundamental question: Should the state guarantee its citizens the right to a clean environment?

A bill making its way through the state Legislature would put a question on the November general election ballot asking, “Do you approve amending the Constitution to grant every person the right to a clean and healthy environment?”

Environmentalists say the move, known as the “green amendment,” is long overdue and would enable citizens to seek redress in court if they feel their environmental rights are being violated.

But opponents, including business groups, warn that the law could have unintended consequences. They say it could enable foes of one of New Jersey’s main efforts to fight climate change — building offshore wind projects — to challenge and kill the projects in court, saying their right to a clean ocean was being violated.

Three states — Montana, New York and Pennsylvania — have established constitutional rights to a clean environment via similar amendments, but another 15 either are considering such measures or are expected to do so soon, said Maya van Rossum, founder of Green Amendments For The Generations and head of the Delaware Riverkeeper organization in New Jersey.

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