EnviroPolitics Blog

‘Explosive Fire Growth’ warning today for entire state of New Jersey

The weather office and Forest Fire Service ask residents to follow burn restrictions, properly dispose of cigarette butts and matches, and be careful with any equipment that may cause sparks. (National Weather Service, Mount Holly N.J. )

NEW JERSEY — All of New Jersey is under a Red Flag Warning on Friday for potential “explosive” fire growth fueled by the ongoing drought, forecasters and officials said.

State Forest Fire crews have responded to several other major wildfires this week as drought conditions worsen across the state. Friday’s gusty winds and very low humidity mean that any outdoor fires can spread quickly and become difficult to control, the National Weather Service said.

There will be a risk of rapid fire spread from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday with the greatest danger during the afternoon, according to the NWS office in Mount Holly.

Read the full story here

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EnviroPolitics Events Calendar

Start your weekend hiking the Bordentown Bluffs

The Bordentown City Green Team will be hosting a “Watershed Wonders Nature Walk” at the Bordentown Bluffs on Saturday, November 9 starting at 10AM.

The hike will be short and family-friendly. The walk will be led by a NJ Watershed Ambassador, who will help hikers discover fascinating insights about the local environment, all while taking in stunning views.

Let EnviroPolitics promote your upcoming event. Send details to editor@enviropolitics.com
Include a phone number in case we have questions.

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EPA extends comment period for Diamond Alkali site in Newark, NJ

Environmental Protection Agency (Region 2)

Newark, N.J. (Nov. 7, 2024) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has extended the public comment period for its proposal to finalize a cleanup plan for the 80-120 Lister Ave. portion of the Diamond Alkali Superfund Site in Newark, N.J.

In response to community request, the deadline for submitting public comments has been extended from Nov. 12 to Nov. 26, 2024. The EPA held a public meeting on Sept. 19 to outline details of the plan and address questions from residents and stakeholders.

The proposed plan calls for continued operation of the existing remedy, with improvements including reinstalling and reactivating a total of seven groundwater pumps, upgrading the current groundwater treatment system, and making any necessary repairs to the existing cap covering contaminated materials. This approach builds on the previously completed work and would avoid the short-term risks associated with other options such as digging up and removing the contaminated material outright.

Written comments on the proposed plan may be submitted until Nov. 26, 2024, to Eugenia Naranjo, Remedial Project Manager, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 290 Broadway – 18th Floor, New York, NY 10007 or via email: Naranjo.eugenia@epa.gov.

For additional background and to see the proposed cleanup plan, visit the Diamond Alkali Superfund site page.

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K&L Gates Law Firm’s 2024 Post-Election Recap Discussion

With the changing landscape arising from the November 2024 election, the intersection of politics, policies and regulations is crucial to consider.

Join us at 2 p.m., Friday, 8 November as members of our Public Policy and Law practice lead a dynamic virtual panel discussion. They will explore the most up-to-date results of Tuesday’s election, as well as the implications of the post-election landscape for businesses and organizations.

Key topics will include tax, trade, energy, transportation and infrastructure, technology, and oversight.

RSVP ONLINE

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Homes evacuated as wildfire breaks out in Ocean County, NJ

Fifteen structures are being evacuated in Jackson on Wednesday afternoon after a multi-acre wildfire broke out, officials said.

In all 25, structures in the area of South Stump Tavern Road are threatened by the fire, the New Jersey Forest Fire Service said at about 1:30 p.m.

It’s 0% contained, but expected to be contained at 300 acres.

Crew are burning fuel in the fire’s path to slow it down and try to contain it — a process known as backfiring, officials said.

More details later.

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Brooklyn official backs composting over co-digestion

By Jacob Wallace, Waste Dive

A new report from Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso throws support behind Intro 696, a New York City bill that would require a large expansion in composting capacity across each of the city’s five boroughs.

Reynoso called for an increase in composting capacity over codigestion in New York City at a composting conference last week, the latest salvo in a tug of war over the city’s organics. While the city has implemented a codigestion program with utility National Grid at Brooklyn’s Newtown Creek Wastewater Recovery Facility as a solution for food waste, the benefits of such systems now seem insufficient compared to composting, Reynoso said.

“The diversion in the National Grid side was something 10 years ago, 15 years ago, that we thought was the best option. It’s what we knew then,” he said. “Things have changed.”