Environmental groups in New Jersey are calling on the candidates for governor to support their clean energy agenda and to get behind those priorities.

Now, in light of President Trump's energy agenda for the nation, which largely calls for favoring fossil fuels like oil, natural gas and coal.

But the move by those leaders also comes as Governor Murphy is urging lawmakers to codify his plans for 100% clean energy by 2035 into state law, an effort that's been stalled.

Ted Goldberg reports.

New Jersey's governor's race has no shortage of topics before the June primaries.

Environmental groups are doing what they can to make sure the environment remains at the forefront.

The upcoming election is an opportunity for us to ask questions like, hey, candidate for governor, what are you going to do to reduce asthma rates in Newark and throughout our state?

New Jersey's governor, next governor, must ensure our state continues to pursue the equitable transition to electrification.

Electrifying our buildings will help to successfully reduce both carbon emissions and toxic air pollution.

Where that electricity comes from has led to loud and long standing arguments.

These advocates say offshore wind brings clean energy and local jobs.

But one of President Donald Trump's executive orders puts a pause on new permits for offshore and land, wind farms.

Despite what the president of the United States says.

Offshore wind is a key factor in New Jersey's clean energy transition.

But it's been taking very untruth hits.

State Senator Bob Smith says if offshore wind hits a presidential roadblock, then the state should look elsewhere for clean energy.

We have millions of square feet of warehouse roofs in new Jersey.

Can you imagine if they had solar panels on?

We would be the Saudi Arabia of solar energy.

Smith has sponsored several bills aimed at reducing New Jersey's carbon footprint, and he's written an amendment to New Jersey's constitution that would stop new fossil fuel plants from replacing old plants at the end of their lifespan.

As the life of these plants comes to an end, that's the time when you need to get the renewable replacements in that in place.

This would provide for a manageable transition, over the next 20 years.

But we need to do it in such a way that the ratepayers are not crushed.

The Trump administration has repeatedly said it wants to expand the use of fossil fuels nationwide.

Ed Pettus, who leads the new Jersey League of Conservation Voters, is not alone in saying the state should do more on its own.

I think new Jersey needs to do what it's always done, and that is lead lead by example that Murphy administration has proposed a number of things and that there's a job to be finished.

One of those things is a change in land use, which would use new flood maps to dictate what can and can't be built in flood prone areas, like along the shore.

New Jersey is the first in the nation to be progressive and aggressive in addressing climate change from a land use perspective.

And so we invite and we look to Governor Murphy to finalize those rules, get them across the finish line.

Those rules have faced significant pushback from the business industry, which has argued that the new rules will hurt tourism and cost the state money.

Senator Smith says these are legitimate concerns, but added that climate change has caused plenty of damage on its own.

2023 was the warmest year, in human history.

July 22nd of 2024 was the hottest day ever recorded on the planet.

These advocates have released an environmental agenda called Enviro Fix 26, just in time for the governor's race.

It includes protecting water and expanding park access, and gives gubernatorial candidates yet another topic to address on the campaign trail.

In Trenton, I'm Ted Goldberg, NJ Spotlight News.