There is a political divide between supporters and opponents of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), which aims to set up a cap and trade program for greenhouse gas emissions.

Democratic Sen. Bob Smith, chair of the Environment and Energy Committee, sat down with NJToday Managing Editor Mike Schneider to discuss the issue and why he believes RGGI should be enacted in New Jersey.

Gov. Chris Christie vetoed an effort to join RGGI last year and Smith said if that happens again, he’s unsure if there would be enough votes to override it. “Our problem always is that Republican members of the Senate and the House live in fear of this governor,” Smith said.

Smith said RGGI would benefit the economy as well as the environment, saving the average homeowner $25 and the average business $181. While he said the savings aren’t huge and RGGI would cost about half of 1 percent on the normal rate-payers bill, Smith said there would hopefully see a decrease in greenhouse gases.

RGGI works as a cap and trade program, meaning that if people want to continue to use carbon fuels, they would pay a surcharge. Smith explained that the surcharge money would go toward stimulating alternative forms of energy, including solar panels. He argued that businesses would not suffer as some Republicans have said.

Smith said climate change is real and is man-made. “There is a direct relation to carbon dioxide emissions in the greenhouse gas effect,” he said. He added that if New Jersey signs on to RGGI, 10 other states in the northeast will get on board. He also said for New Jersey, the program would mean more jobs, fewer global warming emissions and more efficient and cheaper electricity in the long run.

WATCH VIDEO: