The long-awaited process to restore passenger rail to the Lehigh Valley has left the station. If it ever reaches its final destination, the process will take at least a decade and need plenty of funding.
Several people were on hand Wednesday morning, virtually and in person, for the unveiling of the Lehigh Valley Passenger Rail Feasibility Analysis prepared by PennDOT and consulting company WSP. The Lehigh Valley Transportation Study hosted the event.
“This is the very, very initial study on passenger rail for this region,” said PennDOT representative Angela Watson. “This is the study I would call akin to a feasibility study to inform you as to what are the potential likely corridors that you could consider should you decide as a community to move forward and consider passenger rail for the Lehigh Valley.”
The report has identified the five “most likely” corridors for restoring passenger rail service from the Lehigh Valley to New York, Philadelphia, or Reading, out of 12 possible corridors examined. The five corridors are:
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A Conversation with DEP Commissioner Shawn LaTourette and BPU President Christine Guhl-Sadovy
Shawn M. LaTourette CommissionerNJ Dept. of Environmental Protection
Christine Guhl-Sadovy President
NJ Board of Public Utilities
Enjoy a networking opportunity with attendees, followed by a panel discussion with Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Shawn LaTourette and New Jersey Board of Public Utilities President Christine Guhl-Sadovy.
The presentations will be followed by a Q&A session. REGISTER Cost: $55 member | $75 non-member
April 10, 2024 | 8 – 10 a.m.
The National Conference Center at the Holiday Inn of East Windsor Breakfast included
A Conversation with DEP Commissioner Shawn LaTourette and BPU President Christine Guhl-Sadovy
Shawn M. LaTourette CommissionerNJ Dept. of Environmental Protection
Christine Guhl-Sadovy President NJ Board of Public Utilities
Enjoy a networking opportunity with attendees, followed by a panel discussion with Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Shawn LaTourette and New Jersey Board of Public Utilities President Christine Guhl-Sadovy.
The presentations will be followed by a Q&A session. REGISTER Cost: $55 member | $75 non-member
April 10, 2024 | 8 – 10 a.m. The National Conference Center at the Holiday Inn of East Windsor Breakfast included
If you liked this post, you’ll love our daily environmental newsletter, EnviroPolitics.It’s packed daily with the latest news, commentary, and legislative updates from New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York, Delaware…and beyond. Please do not take our word for it, try it free for an entire month. No obligation.
The Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission (DVRPC) has an opening for an economic development planner! Learn about this and other current opportunities: https://dvrpc.org/humanresources/
Supporters of U.S. Rep. Andy Kim’s hold signs supporting Kim before the Burlington County Democratic Convention at the Rowan College at Burlington County campus in Mount Laurel on Feb. 24. Yong Kim / Staff Photographer
FLEMINGTON, N.J. — Andy Kim looked stunned. Tammy Murphy barely blinked.
It was the second county convention of the weekend, and Kim, a three-term Democratic congressman from Burlington County, was looking to go two for two against Murphy, New Jersey’s first lady, in the bruising primary race for the U.S. Senate seat held by indicted Sen. Bob Menendez.
In New Jersey, each county’s ballot is determined by these conventions — a grouping of all party-endorsed candidates known as “the line” — and can make or break a candidate’s chances in a primary election, this year on June 4. It seriously haunts their dreams and nightmares.
Now, in the heart of hippie horse farm country in central Jersey, Hunterdon County Democratic chair Arlene Quiñones Perez tried a last-minute rule change in a move that would have helped Murphy. Chaos erupted.
“Insane,” Kim told reporters after, still reeling.
Was this your basic weekend in Jersey politics, the state’s mind-blowing political aesthetic on full display? Or was change actually afoot?
“This is what I’ve been speaking out against,” Kim said. “Party elites just trying to make decisions here that can put a thumb on the scale of this election. Seeing it up close and personal, in real time, was something else, honestly.”
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On Tuesday, the 221st Legislature commenced in Trenton. The Senate welcomed 10 new Senators to the chamber, namely: Sen. Carmen Amato, Jr. (LD9); Sen. John Burzichelli (LD3); Sen. Owen Henry (LD12); Sen. John McKeon (LD27); Sen. Angela McKnight (LD31); Sen. Paul Moriarty (LD4); Sen. Raj Mukherji (LD32); Sen. Parker Space (LD24); Sen. Britnee Timberlake (LD34); and Sen. Latham Tiver (LD8).
Senators McKeon, McKnight, Moriarty, Mukherji, Space, and Timberlake each moved over to the Senate after serving in the General Assembly during the last session. Sen. Nick Scutari, of Union County, was elected to continue as Senate President, and Sen. M. Teresa Ruiz, of Essex County, will continue as the Senate Majority Leader. Sen. Shirley Turner, of Mercer County, has been named President Pro Tempore, a position she previously held twice, and Sen. Anthony Bucco, of Morris County, will continue as the Senate Minority Leader.
The Assembly also welcomed new members. Asw. Tennille McCoy (LD14) was sworn in on January 8th, to occupy the seat that former Asm. Dan Benson, who is now the Mercer County Executive, vacated on taking his oath on January 4th.
The following 25 members of the new class took their oaths of office at the War Memorial yesterday: Asw. Heather Simmons (LD3); Asm. David Bailey, Jr. (LD3); Asm. Dan Hutchison (LD4); Asm. Cody Miller (LD4); Asm. Gregory Myhre (LD9); Asm. Paul Kanitra (LD10); Asw. Margie Donlon (LD11); Asw. Luanne Peterpaul (LD11); Asm. Kevin Egan (LD17); Asw. Dawn Fantasia (LD24); Asm. Michael Inganamort (LD24); Asw. Rosy Bagolie (LD27); Asw. Alixon Collazos-Gill (LD27); Asw. Garnet Hall (LD28); Asm. Alexander Schnall (LD30); Asw. Barbara McCann Stamato (LD31); Asw. Jessica Ramirez (LD32); Asm. John Allen (LD32); Asm. Gabriel Rodriguez (LD33); Asm. Julio Marenco (LD33); Asm. Michael Venezia (LD34); Asw. Carmen Morales (LD34); Asm. John Azzariti, Jr. (LD39); and Asm. Al Barlas (LD40).
Speaker Craig Coughlin, of Middlesex County, will continue as Speaker of the Assembly and now has the distinction of being the longest-serving Speaker of the Assembly. Asm. Lou Greenwald, of Burlington County, will continue as the Assembly Majority Leader, and Asm. John DiMaio, of Warren County, will continue as the Assembly Minority Leader.
The Legislature’s reorganization will also impact the leadership of various committees. The General Assembly announced its new Committee assignments yesterday. Numerous committees will be led by a new chairperson this term, including: Asw. Shanique Speight (new Aging and Human Services Committee); Asw. Shavonda Sumter (new Community Development and Women’s Affairs Committee); Asm. William Spearman (Commerce, Economic Development, and Agriculture); Asm. Roy Freiman (Financial Institutions); Asm. Sterley Stanley (Regulated Professions); Asw. Ellen Park (Judiciary); Asm. Anthony Verrelli (Labor); Asw. Linda Carter (Higher Education); Asm. William Sampson IV (Consumer Affairs Committee); Asm. Clinton Calabrese (Transportation and Independent Authorities); Asm. Joe Danielsen (new Public Safety and Preparedness Committee); and Asm. Moen (Tourism, Gaming, and the Arts).
In their respective remarks ahead of the Governor’s address, Senate President Scutari, Majority Leader Ruiz, and Speaker Coughlin each underscored some of the Legislature’s priorities this term, including improving mental health; ensuring businesses thrive; bettering transportation; addressing food insecurity; improving childhood literacy; and closing the achievement gap between students in our public schools.
Democrats will retain control of both houses in the new Legislature with margins of 25-15 in the Senate and 52-28 in the Assembly.
Governor Murphy’s Priorities
Governor Phil Murphy delivered his penultimate State of the State address yesterday afternoon. In years past, he has invoked themes of a “stronger and fairer” New Jersey and “New Jersey as a State of Opportunity.” Both themes were present during the Governor’s sixth address since he took office. In his remarks, Governor Murphy looked ahead to the new legislative session and underscored the following priorities that his Administration will focus on: affordability, job creation, education, healthcare, the protection of fundamental rights, and the expansion of new sectors such as renewable energy, cannabis, and artificial intelligence (AI) in the coming year.
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New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy has signed the Electric and Hybrid Vehicle Battery Management Act, making it the first state with an extended producer responsibility law for electric vehicle batteries. Murphy signed the bill on Monday, the final day of the legislative session.
Under the law, battery producers of “propulsion” batteries — including EV, lithium-ion batteries, andnickel-metal hydride batteries — will need to create battery management plans and submit them to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection for approval.Those plans could include options like a complete vehicle take-back program, a battery take-back program, or another method, according to the law.
Producers will also be responsible for educating consumers about the available collection options and must meet other criteria such as permanently affixing an information label to the battery.
The DEP will also conduct a needs assessment to determine how many relevant public and private battery recyclers are available and how many might be needed to implement the EPR law’s provisions. Producers’ battery management plans would be due 180 days after that needs assessment is completed, and the needs assessment must be completed within 18 months, according to the bill.
“With its new law, New Jersey continues the trend of addressing new batteries not previously included in EPR laws,” said the Product Stewardship Institute in a statement. PSI is known for writing model battery EPR legislation and advocating for EPR for multiple kinds of products.
New Jersey follows several other states that recently passed battery-related EPR programs. In 2021, Washington, D.C., enacted the first comprehensive EPR law in the U.S. for rechargeable and primary batteries. Battery manufacturers began joining approved battery stewardship programs and submitting compliance plans to the District in 2023.
In 2023, Washington state enacted an EPR for batteries law that also includes a range of battery types. It also established labeling requirements for certain batteries and required a public education component. Though EV batteries were not included in that state’s EPR program, the law requires the state’s Department of Ecology to publish policy recommendations for EV battery collection and other large-format battery types by April 2024.
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TRENTON – The New Jersey legislature has passed a first-in-the-nation bill that creates industry guidance for the recycling of lithium-ion vehicle batteries. The Electric and Hybrid Vehicle Battery Management Act (S3723/A5365) provides a framework for the collection, transportation, remanufacturing, reuse, recycling, and responsible disposal of propulsion batteries found in electric and hybrid-electric cars and trucks.
“New Jersey has taken a forward-looking, and holistic view of the true value of these batteries,” said Senator Bob Smith, Chairman of the New Jersey Senate Environment and Energy Committee and sponsor of the bill. “We developed guidance for those in the growing recycling industry that will support innovation, job creation, and environmental stewardship from reusing materials and parts.”
This bill aims to support the creation of a circular economy surrounding EV batteries in New Jersey by keeping EV batteries out of landfills, re-using materials to decrease the cost of new batteries, incentivizing job creation in the State, and reducing reliance on foreign mining and the importation of rare minerals.
As the first EV batteries are now starting to reach the end of their useful lifespans, New Jersey will require battery producers to submit a battery management plan to the State Department of Environmental Protection. These management plans will include planned methods for the acceptance and transport of batteries. It must also outline the means of recycling, reuse, or repurposing of batteries. It allows for new material or other recycling companies to utilize the batteries or components and supports manufacturers in their recycling efforts.
Smith expects that as EV adoption continues to increase domestically, the need for lithium-ion batteries will grow.
“With the EV Battery Management Act, New Jersey will be poised to take advantage of this increasing demand through the recycling of critical materials and other components.,” he said.
Keep up with news about electric vehicles and battery recycling
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When the energy nerds of the world write tales of Joe Biden’s presidency, a chapter will be devoted to Sen. Joe Manchin’s regular jabs over electric vehicles.
Since the passage of last year’s Inflation Reduction Act, the irascible chair of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee has challenged the Treasury Department over how it interprets “Made in America” requirements for electric car batteries.
The West Virginia Democrat is now asking the Government Accountability Office to issue a legal opinion on whether Congress can undo Treasury’s actions, writes Timothy Cama. The letter targets Treasury guidance for how car companies should interpret language in the law that requires that minerals and parts used to make EV batteries are sourced primarily out of the U.S. or through its trading partners.
The global supply chain for EVs began revolving around China long before automakers shoveled billions of dollars into electric car and battery assembly plants and before the U.S. government spent taxpayer money on developing a U.S. market to replace gasoline-fueled cars. So Manchin has made a sport of arguing that Biden and auto manufacturers are coddling China by pushing for too much flexibility, as the U.S. hands out generous tax benefits to EV buyers.
The White House has been grappling with how to balance a climate policy that requires more zero-carbon cars on the road and the equally desirable push for electric cars to be built on the back of U.S.-based manufacturing.
Manchin, representing a state rooted in a fossil fuel economy, has been a persistent thorn in Biden’s side and complicates the White House goal of zeroing out U.S. carbon pollution by 2050. They’ve crossed each other over a methane fee program and a tax credit for hydrogen production. He’s pushed back through letters, regulatory comments, and legislation.
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Brooke E. Lierman, comptroller of Maryland stands before portraits of the three prior comptrollers – from left background, William Donald Schaefer (1999-2007), Peter V. R. Franchot (2007-2023) and Louis L. Goldstein (1959-1998) on Wednesday April 19, 2023. (Karl Merton Ferron/Baltimore Sun Staff)
According to the latest U.S. National Climate Assessment, extreme weather events cost the United States nearly $150 billion each year, disproportionately hurting poor and disadvantaged communities. These events cast a long shadow on our economic landscape.
Whether it’s a wildfire in Maui, hurricanes in Florida, or flooding in New York City, the impacts of these disasters ripple across multiple sectors of the economy, leaving a trail of asset devaluation and increased insurance costs. As a result, these crises frequently move global markets, triggering a wave of financial pain that crashes down on not only the wheelers and dealers on Wall Street but also the millions of American workers who depend on their investment portfolios for retirement security.
It might seem odd to think that a fire in Hawaii could affect a teacher’s retirement in Maryland, but it’s true. And that’s exactly why I worked to pass legislation in my last year in office that mandates not only a regular study of our portfolio’s risk due to climate change but also requires that we treat climate risk as the investment risk it is.
As the comptroller of Maryland, I serve as the vice chair of the board of our State Retirement and Pension System, helping oversee $65 billion in assets, and diligently managing and safeguarding the financial interests of over 415,000 members. These beneficiaries are teachers, park rangers, nurses, state workers, public servants and others who help run our state and communities. It is my responsibility to evaluate all information available and ensure that they get the highest returns possible. As extreme weather events continue to intensify and our energy sources continue to transition away from fossil fuels, that means giving serious consideration to climate-related risks.
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