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New Jersey League of Conservation Voters (NJ LCV)

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The New Jersey League of Conservation Voters (NJ LCV) is the New Jersey state-level affiliate of the League of Conservation Voters (LCV), an advocacy group that supports left-of-center climate policy and political candidates. The LCV has been called a “dark money heavyweight” by the left-leaning Center for Public Integrity. 1

NJ LCV produces a scorecard that rates the voting record of state legislators on environmental issues. 2 Environmental positions supported by the NJ LCV include limiting the expansion of nuclear energy and opposing all hydrocarbon energy generation.  3  4 Beyond left-of-center environmental policy, the NJ LCV has supported other left-of-center initiatives such as the “No Kings” rallies against the second Trump administration and race-based political advocacy.  5

Issues

Zero-Carbon Energy

New Jersey League of Conservation Voters has supported phasing out all use of coal, oil, and natural gas in favor of zero-carbon-emission weather-dependent energy. 6  Additionally, NJ LCV does not support the expansion of nuclear energy as part of the transition to 100 percent zero-carbon energy. 7 Nuclear power plants produce no carbon dioxide or other greenhouse gas emissions, and in 2023, 42 percent of New Jersey’s electricity came from nuclear energy. 8

In 2018, NJ LCV supported a bill that required 50 percent of energy to come from weather-dependent energy sources like wind and solar. 9  10

In a 2023 panel, NJ LCV president Ed Potosnak described nuclear power as a “lesser evil” compared to fossil fuels. 7 He promoted maintaining nuclear capacity without expansion and prioritizing the growth of weather-dependent energy. 7

In 2023, Democrats introduced a bill that would establish a 100 percent zero-carbon electricity standard by 2035. This bill would also cap the share of nuclear power allowed to count toward the new clean energy quota at 40 percent, restricting the industry’s growth. 11 NJ LCV has supported this bill through polling, hosting public events, and applauding the bill’s introduction online. 12

In June 2025, NJ LCV worked alongside the left-of-center New Jersey Sierra Club to host a rally in support of the bill. The rally was attended by several other left-of-center climate activist groups and state Senators Bob Smith (D-Piscataway) and Linda Greenstein (D-Plainsboro). 13

 

Offshore Wind

NJ LCV promotes offshore wind as the primary method to reach the 50 percent weather-dependent energy mandate. 14 NJ LCV leads the New Jersey Wind Works Coalition, a group of climate activists advocating for offshore wind. The Coalition has advocated for offshore wind projects by communicating with New Jersey legislators and through a public-facing online campaign. 14

Among the 19 members of the coalition are the Environmental Education Fund, the Sustainable Business Council, and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. 15

Race-Focused Activism

NJ LCV has adopted race-focused activism into its platform. 14 As part of this platform, NJ LCV has stated that it benefits from “a system of white supremacy.” In its own words: “As a white-led organization that benefits from a system of white supremacy, we have an obligation to use our resources to amplify and support the work of minorities.”  16

NJ LCV also has diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) practices in its workplace. 16 Books listed under their “Racial Justice Resources” include Things That Make White People Uncomfortable, White Fragility, How to Be an Antiracist, and White Like Me: Reflections on Race from a Privileged Son.  16

Finances

In 2024, New Jersey League of Conservation Voters reported revenue of $2,038,482, expenses of $1,610,858, and held assets totaling $1,956,856. 17 Of its revenue, $171,739 came from individual donors, $1,738,636 came from program grants, and $128,107 came from other sources. 14

Related Organizations

In 2024, New Jersey LCV PAC and SuperPAC invested more than $264,000 in targeted local races and made more than 9.6 million voter contacts. 14 The NJ LCV Education Fund also spent $2,446,285 supporting other New Jersey environmental groups and initiatives. 14

References

  1. Michael Beckel. “LEAGUE OF CONSERVATION VOTERS BECOMING ‘DARK MONEY’ HEAVYWEIGHT.” November 22, 2013. Accessed January 21, 2019. https://publicintegrity.org/federal-politics/league-of-conservation-voters-becoming-dark-money-heavyweight/
  2. “NJ LCV Environmental Scorecard.” New Jersey League of Conservation Voters, Accessed August 11, 2025. https://www.njlcv.org/scorecard
  3. “Dear Chairman Barrasso, Ranking Member Carper, and Members of the Committee.” November 30, 2020. Accessed August 14, 2025. https://foe.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Sign-on_S4897_OPPOSE_119-orgs-3.pdf
  4. “Environmental Policy Guide.” New Jersey League of Conservation, Accessed August 14, 2025. https://www.njlcvef.org/sites/default/files/2021-09/NJLCV_EPG2021_WebFinal_V3.pdf
  5. “The #NoKings day of action cemented the shared sentiment of people across the nation.” New Jersey League of Conservation Voters, Accessed August 12, 2025. https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1760219328111029
  6. “100 percent back.” Politico, Accessed August 14, 2025 https://www.politico.com/newsletters/weekly-new-york-new-jersey-energy/2025/08/04/100-percent-back-00491546
  7. “Sweeney Center Annual 2023 Energy Conference.” Rowan Television Network, Accessed August 14, 2025. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ivy7fcFwlZY Timestamp: 3:08:04-3:09:35
  8. “New Jersey State Profile and Energy Estimates.” US Energy and Information Administration, Accessed August 14, 2025. https://www.eia.gov/state/analysis.php?sid=NJ
  9. “Governor Murphy Advances New Jersey Towards 100% Clean Energy by 2050.” NJ LCV, Accessed August 14, 2025. https://www.nj.gov/governor/news/news/562018/20180523a_cleanEnergy.shtml
  10. “P.L. 2018, CHAPTER 17, approved May 23, 2018 Assembly, No. 3723.” New Jersey Legislature, Accessed August 14, 2025. https://pub.njleg.gov/bills/2018/AL18/17_.HTM
  11. “Bill S237 Scs.” New Jersey Legislature, Accessed August 14, 2025. https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2024/S237
  12. “ 100 percent back.” Politico, Accessed August 14, 2025. https://www.politico.com/newsletters/weekly-new-york-new-jersey-energy/2025/08/04/100-percent-back-00491546
  13. “Rally At NJ State House Urges Lawmakers To Pass 100% Clean Energy Bill By 2035” New Jersey Urban News, Accessed August 14, 2025. https://njurbannews.com/2025/06/13/rally-at-nj-state-house-urges-lawmakers-to-pass-100-clean-energy-bill-by-2035/
  14. “2024 Impact Report.” New Jersey League of Conservation Voters, Accessed August 11, 2025. https://www.njlcv.org/sites/default/files/2025-04/njlcv24_pages_03b_web-1.pdf
  15. “Campaign Partners” New Jersey Wind Works, Accessed August 14, 2025. https://www.njwindworks.org/
  16. “Racial Justice and Equity.” League of Conservation Voters, Accessed August 11, 2025. https://www.njlcv.org/page/racial-justice-and-equity
  17. “New Jersey League Of Conservation V– 2024 Federal Form 990.” ProPublica. Accessed August 11, 2025. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/272577440/202520279349300222/full
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