EnviroPolitics Blog

ORSTED pulls plug on its New Jersey offshore wind energy plans

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy said the company’s decision was “outrageous and calls into question the company’s credibility and competence.”

A completed monopile foundation at EEW AOS where the massive monopile foundations for the offshore wind turbines are manufactured in Paulsboro, Gloucester County. Jessica Griffin / Staff Photographer

By Frank Kummer and Amy S. Rosenberg, Philadelphia Inquirer, Oct. 31, 2023

Global offshore wind developer Orsted said Tuesday night that it is pulling out of both of its projects scheduled to be built off the coast of New Jersey, a move that enraged Gov. Phil Murphy and could be a big blow to the state’s renewable energy ambitions.

The Danish company made the announcement after a decision by its board of directors. Both the Ocean Wind 1 and 2 projects, which would have had the capacity to produce 2.2 gigawatts of renewable energy, will be scrapped.

“Macroeconomic factors have changed dramatically over a short period of time, with high inflation, rising interest rates, and supply chain bottlenecks impacting our long-term capital investments,” said David Hardy, Group Executive Vice President and CEO Americas at Orsted. “As a result, we have no choice but to cease development of Ocean Wind 1 and Ocean Wind 2.”

Orsted said Tuesday night that it is pulling out of both of its projects scheduled to be built off the coast of New Jersey, a move that enraged Gov. Phil Murphy

Hardy said the company was disappointed and thanked Murphy and other state leaders who tried to kick-start the industry in the state, hoping to make it a hub for offshore wind in the Northeast.

Orsted is, however, proceeding with other wind projects in the U.S. and internationally.

“Today’s decision by Orsted to abandon its commitments to New Jersey is outrageous and calls into question the company’s credibility and competence,” Murphy said in a statement. “As recently as several weeks ago, the company made public statements regarding the viability and progress of the Ocean Wind 1 project.”

Murphy said his administration is looking “to review all legal rights and remedies and to take all necessary steps to ensure that Orsted fully and immediately honors its obligations.”

Read the full story here

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BILLYPENNGRAM for Oct. 31 2023

#BILLYPENNGRAM OF THE DAY
Tricks and treats in Fitler Square, Philadelphia
(Photo by @leslie.sllvn)

Want to see your photo here? Tag #billypenngram on Instagram

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Companies in NJ and NY hit with underground storage tank fines

From the Environmental Protection Agency

NEW YORK (October 30, 2023) – In four separate enforcement agreements the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has taken action against several corporate entities operating in New Jersey, New York, and the U.S. Virgin Islands to address alleged violations of federal laws regarding the maintenance and operation of underground petroleum storage tank systems. In separate settlements, the companies have agreed to comply and pay penalties.

“EPA’s requirements are designed to ensure proper maintenance of underground storage tanks. When these tanks are not properly maintained, they can leak and put people and the environment at risk,” said EPA Regional Administrator Lisa F. Garcia. “EPA takes these requirements very seriously and owners will face penalties if they do not comply.”

When not properly operated and maintained, underground storage tanks (USTs) can leak petroleum and other hazardous substances, threatening soil and water quality. These regulations prevent and detect fuel releases that could contaminate groundwater and pose risks to people’s health and the environment.

In New Jersey, ADPP Enterprises, Inc., and APM Management, Inc., operators of 13 gas stations in New Jersey, settled a case with the EPA for violating federal rules on USTs storing gasoline or diesel fuel. The EPA discovered that the gas stations failed to comply with spill prevention, leak detection, inspection, and record-keeping requirements for USTs between 2018 and 2020. The gas station owners have agreed to pay a $175,000 penalty and certify their compliance with the UST rules at their facilities.

Wawa, Inc., a New Jersey-based company that operates gas stations and convenience stores, has settled with the EPA for violating federal regulations on USTs containing gasoline or diesel fuel. Following inspections at nine Wawa facilities in February and March of 2022, the EPA determined the company had failed to meet operator training, record keeping, and leak detection requirements for USTs. Wawa has agreed to pay a civil penalty of $26,500 and certify its compliance with UST regulations at its facilities.

In New York, EPA found Dutchess Terminals, Inc., ANK Realty Inc., and Fair Oak, Inc., three companies that own and operate underground storage tanks storing gasoline or diesel fuel at 11 facilities across New York State, in violation of federal rules on financial responsibility, leak detection, spill prevention, and UST inspection requirements between November 2017 and April 2019. The companies have agreed to pay a $150,000 penalty and certify their compliance with the UST rules at their facilities.

AT&T Transoceanic Comm. LLC, which owns and operates underground tanks storing fuel for emergency power generators at 28 facilities in New York, New Jersey, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, violated federal rules on spill prevention, inspections, and operator training at three of its facilities in the U.S. Virgin Islands, which EPA inspected in 2022. The company has agreed to pay a $40,000 penalty and conduct a comprehensive audit of its compliance with all UST rules at its New York and New Jersey facilities.

Approximately 542,000 underground storage tanks nationwide store petroleum or hazardous substances. The greatest potential threat from a leaking UST is contamination of groundwater, the source of drinking water for nearly half of all Americans. EPA, states, territories, and tribes work in partnership with industry to protect the environment and human health from potential releases.

For more information on underground storage tanks, visit http://www.epa.gov/region02/ust/.

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Lumberton sidesteps early release of deputy mayor’s 911 call

Gina LaPlaca. (Photo: Nikita Biryukov for the New Jersey Globe)

David Wildstein, New Jersey Globe, October 30 2023 9:37 pm

Lumberton Township officials have so far declined to expedite requests for 911 calls and police body camera footage of an incident late Friday night that led to the arrest of Deputy Mayor Gina LaPlaca for assaulting her husband, political activist Jason Carty.

LaPlaca, a Democrat, is up for re-election in next week’s general election.

The New Jersey Globe asked for copies of the arrest reports, summonses, audio and video files under the state’s Open Public Records Act. The municipality has seven business days to respond but was asked to provide the records immediately to obviate any appearance that they are making decisions based on the upcoming election.

Carty was arrested first, and based on his comments to the Lumberton Police Department, a sergeant was dispatched to their home to take LaPlaca into custody. On Sunday, Carter said he was entirely at fault.

LaPlaca is at the center of a dispute in Neptune Township, where she is the business administrator. A series of anonymous emails sent to Lumberton officials allege that she was involved in an inappropriate relationship with a police officer who was her subordinate.

In a telephone interview with the New Jersey Globe on Monday, LaPlaca confirmed the issue but insisted that nothing was improper.

“My relationship is purely professional. We had a social relationship where we’d grab a beer together and talk shop,” La Placa told the New Jersey Globe. “The social aspect of our relationship has been over for quite some time. Some will try to make more of this than there is.”

Read the full story here

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Meet Andy Kim’s new campaign manager

Noah Dion has worked for Joe Biden and Pete Buttigieg and helped Democrats win Senate and Governors’ races in Pennsylvania in 2022

*Andy Kim for U.S. Senate campaign manager Noah Dion. (Photo: Noah Dion via LinkedIn.)*

By David Wildstein, New Jersey Globe, October 27 2023 3:09 pm

Andy Kim has tapped a veteran political operative who worked for Joe Biden and Pete Buttigieg to manage his U.S. Senate campaign.

Noah Dion spent the 2022 cycle running the Pennsylvania Democratic Party’s coordinated campaign. On his watch, Josh Shapiro was elected governor by a 15-point margin, and John Fetterman won a U.S. Senate seat by five points; both defeated New Jersey men, Doug Mastriano of Hightstown and Mehmet Oz of Cliffside Park, respectively.

He was the deputy national vote-by-mail director for Biden during the 2020 general election. In the Democratic presidential primaries, Dion was Buttigieg’s New Hampshire Organizing Director and Ohio State Director. Kim has close ties to Buttigieg: they were Rhodes Scholars together, and following Cory Booker’s withdrawal, he endorsed the former South Bend, Indiana mayor for president.

Dion has run multiple campaigns in Ohio and worked for the American Federation of Teachers and the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.

Read the full story here

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Can you guess which is the poorest town in New Jersey?

Editor’s Note: We were wrong, guessing it was in Salem County

By Jesse P. Diaz, Newton (Ga.) County News

Lakewood, a municipality located in Ocean County, approximately 50 miles to the east of Philadelphia, holds the distinction of being the most economically challenged town in New Jersey. According to the data from the U.S. Census Bureau in 2019, Lakewood had a poverty rate of 40.5%, which was the highest among all places in the state with a population of at least 1,000.

Remarkably, Lakewood’s poverty rate surpasses that of nearly every city in the United States, with Pharr, Texas being the sole exception. In this blog post, we will delve into the factors contributing to Lakewood’s high poverty rate and explore both the hurdles and possibilities that the town confronts.

Established in the late 19th century as a resort destination for affluent visitors from New York and Philadelphia, Lakewood was renowned for its picturesque lake, upscale hotels, and golf courses. The town also drew in many Jewish immigrants and subsequently became a hub for Orthodox Judaism in America.

Over the course of the 20th century, Lakewood experienced transformative shifts affecting its economic landscape and demographics. The Great Depression, World War II, and suburbanization led to a decline in tourism and the closure of numerous hotels. Simultaneously, the town’s population became more diverse with an influx of African Americans, Hispanics, and immigrants from various countries.

Lakewood presents a stark contrast in terms of economic disparities, with a substantial gap between the wealthy and the impoverished. With a population of around 106,000 residents, it ranks as the seventh-largest municipality in New Jersey. The town is also home to one of the largest yeshivas (Jewish religious schools) globally, Beth Medrash Govoha, boasting over 6,500 students.

The Orthodox Jewish community accounts for approximately half of the town’s population, profoundly influencing its culture and politics. Additionally, Lakewood houses a sizable Hispanic community, primarily from Mexico and Guatemala, along with various other ethnic and religious groups. The median household income in Lakewood stands at $47,533, well below the state average of $89,703, and the town grapples with a high unemployment rate of 9.9%, compared to the state average of 6.7%.

Read the full story here

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