NJ push for pollution penalties draws praise, concern



Mike Catalini reports for the Associated Press:

New Jersey’s new push to sue people and companies responsible for pollution has environmental groups applauding and business interests raising questions and concerns.
After two terms of Republican Chris Christie, Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy’s administration announced last week that it would resume pursuing natural resources damages in cases that resulted in contamination in New Jersey. The state has a long history of industrialization as well as contamination; it has more Superfund sites — land contaminated by hazardous waste and marked for cleanup due to its health risks — than any other state.
Attorney General Gurbir Grewal announced a half-dozen new lawsuits and said Christie’s administration didn’t pursue any such new suits over eight years. Christie did, however, reach the biggest such settlement in state history in a case he inherited, agreeing to accept $225 million from ExxonMobil over polluted sites in Bayonne and Linden, as well as retail gas stations across the state.

The so-called natural resource damages cases are distinct from the responsibility that property owners carry to remediate contaminated sites. The cash the state recovers in the damages cases is aimed at compensating the public for the loss of the use of land because of pollution. But even if no such money is recovered, responsible parties are still required by law to pay for cleanup.

Environmental activists add that the money must also be used to restore polluted sites so the public can use them again.
It’s an important distinction, business groups say, because otherwise it could seem as if corporations had not been paying for cleanups.
“I’m a little bit worried when the public reads this they sort of think this is going against companies that are actively out there (violating the law),” said Dennis Hart, the executive director of the state’s Chemistry Council, which reviews regulations for their effect on manufacturing in the state. “I worry about the message the public hears.”

Read the full story 

NJ push for pollution penalties draws praise, concern Read More »

Coughlin douses move to shrink NJ Gov. Murphy’s power

New Jersey Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin

Samantha Marcus reports for NJ.com:
Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin said Friday he’s not on board with the state Senate president’s approach to stripping Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy of his sole constitutional power to certify state revenues.
“For now … we’re not prepared the move the amendment,” he said on 1450 AM with Bert Baron.
Senate President Stephen Sweeney wants to go to the voters this fall to ask them to support such a constitutional amendment, and he has bipartisan support in the Senate.
Under the current system, the government has final say overestimating how much money the state can expect to collect in any given year, and in turn, in estimating how much money the state has to spend.
The governor’s authority caused the Democratic-controlled Legislature distress during this year’s budget negotiations. Murphy argued then that the Legislature’s projections were too high and would force him to slash hundreds of millions of dollars in spending.’

Coughlin douses move to shrink NJ Gov. Murphy’s power Read More »

Auto suppliers rev up to chase electric vehicle bonanza

Lithium batteries boil in Novec, a non-conductive, non-flammable liquid that 3M hopes to sell automakers to cool batteries and extend the range of dozens of new electric vehicle models in the future, in St. Paul, Minnesota, . Picture taken February 14, 2018. REUTERS/Nick Carey


Nick Carey reports for Reuters:

ST. PAUL, Minn. (Reuters) – In what seems to be a magic trick, Dele Fayemi runs a batch of batteries in a beaker of boiling water – a physical impossibility that should cause a short circuit.

But instead of a highly-dangerous combination of water and electricity, the 3M Co (MMM.N) engineer is testing the batteries in Novec, a non-flammable, non-conductive liquid the conglomerate has sold to cool supercomputers, and which it now aims to sell to automakers to cool batteries.

Maintaining a constant, low temperature helps electric vehicles (EVs) drive longer distances, so keeping batteries cool could help solve a key problem for automakers: a lack of range has been a major obstacle to the mass adoption of electric cars.

“As you can see, the temperature remains constant,” at 32 Celsius (90 Fahrenheit), Fayemi said, the boiling point of this particular batch of Novec, which 3M also wants to sell to data centers to keep servers cool.

“Automakers are trying to figure out how to get the absolute maximum out of batteries,” said Ray Eby, head of 3M’s automotive electrification program, which was created last year. “That’s right in 3M’s wheelhouse.”

Major automakers plan to roll out hundreds of new electric vehicle models over the next several years, fueled by investments that consultancy AlixPartners has estimated at up to $255 billion through 2023.

To put that in context, in 2017 all the world’s automakers and suppliers combined invested $115 billion in research and development, and had capital expenditures of $234 billion.

Much of that investment will flow to suppliers, but only if they can offer ways to cut electric vehicle manufacturing costs, which are still higher than for internal combustion cars. 3M and other automotive technology companies are looking for ways to adapt to electric vehicles existing products that enjoy economies of scale from other markets.

Along with major suppliers like BorgWarner Inc (BWA.N) and Aptiv PLC (APTV.N), others like aluminum company Norsk Hydro ASA (NHY.OL) and synthetic rubber maker Trinseo SA (TSE.N) are developing products to extend the driving ranges of electric vehicles, attacking a significant barrier to higher sales.

Suppliers hope automakers will adopt their technology early in the development process so they can sell similar products to more than one customer.

With no set approach to developing EVs, automakers are pursuing their own paths, giving suppliers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to influence what parts and even what materials to use.

“Eventually we’ll see more standardization in the high-voltage market, but it’s not there yet,” said Alan Amici, vice president of transportation solutions for TE Connectivity Ltd (TEL.N).

That’s why TE and other suppliers using embedded teams of engineers within the engineering operations of major automaker customers. From inside, suppliers can pitch existing products and materials, or ones they have in development.

Their customers are looking for ways to get more driving miles per charge, tackle technical problems such as electromagnetic interference or, most importantly, cut costs on vehicles that are as yet unprofitable.

Read the full story

Like this? Click to receive free updates


Auto suppliers rev up to chase electric vehicle bonanza Read More »

What Trump’s auto-mileage rollback means for (cough) NJ

Administration’s move to freeze tougher fuel-efficiency standards may make it much harder for the state to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions, diminish air pollution

tailpipe emissions smog



Tom Johnson reports for NJ Spotlight:


The Trump administration yesterday moved to roll back aggressive federal clean-car standards, a decision that likely will increase air pollution in New Jersey and undermine its efforts to curb emissions contributing to climate change, according to critics.

The decision, announced jointly by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration had been expected for weeks by clean-air advocates, but turned out be worse than anticipated, according to environmentalists. Proponents said it would make cars safer and save consumers money.
The proposal aims to freeze tougher fuel-efficiency standards intended to reduce pollution from cars while also revoking the right of California to establish more stringent tailpipe-emission standards than other states, a step designed to limit greenhouse-gas emissions.

Relaxing restrictions on greenhouse gases

The latter move is especially significant for New Jersey, which is one of 12 other states that have adopted California’s tougher emission standards, which include mandates to transition to electric vehicles. Transportation accounts for roughly 46 percent of greenhouse-gas emissions in New Jersey, according to the state Department of Environmental Protection.
The rollback already is being challenged in court by environmental groups, sure to be joined by California and other states. Auto manufacturers also have a big stake in this fight, as they’re worried about having to comply with different standards in multiple states. In any case, litigation could lead to years of legal uncertainty.
In New Jersey, advocates denounced the freezing of the standards and the move to abolish the California waiver, saying it will increase air pollution, making it harder for the state to clean up its air. New Jersey has never achieved the federal health-quality standard for ground-level ozone, a pollutant that blankets parts of the state every summer.

Read the full story


Like this? Click to receive free updates

What Trump’s auto-mileage rollback means for (cough) NJ Read More »

Murphy administration drops the Jersey hammer on natural resource polluters; Sues three for restoration costs

‘We are demanding our money back,’ says Attorney General when announcing lawsuits for cleanup and restoration













Tom Johnson reports for NJ Spotlight:

For the first time in 10 years, the state is filing suit against polluters to have them pay to restore New Jersey’s natural resources, an important environmental tool that averts using taxpayer dollars to clean up contaminated groundwater, wetlands, and other sites.

The administration of Gov. Phil Murphy yesterday filed three Natural Resource Damage lawsuits, signaling an aggressive new effort to not only clean up the thousands of contaminated sites in New Jersey, but also to restore natural areas harmed by spills, illegal dumping, and other activities.

Like this? Click to receive free updates


“Today, we are demanding our money back,’’ said Attorney General Gurbir Grewal, on an empty lot in Newark’s Ironbound section, near a housing development built on top of a former manufacturer of cigarette lighters. It polluted soil and groundwater at the site, and vapors from the contaminants are now seeping into nearby homes.

Click to expand/collapse
In this case, the state is seeking to recover the costs it incurred in cleaning up the soil, and the vapor-mitigation systems it installed to prevent dangerous vapors from entering the homes. Two other cost-recovery lawsuits also were filed by the Attorney General.
“We are going to hold polluters accountable — no matter how big, no matter how powerful, no matter how long they’ve been getting away with it,’’ Grewal said. “And we’re sending a message to every company across the state: If you pollute our natural resources, we are going to make you pay.’’
NRD lawsuits have been used in the past to restore numerous resources in the state, including not far away from yesterday’s press conference where a previous settlement has provided $23 million to create and expand a riverfront park on the Passaic River, according to Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Catherine McCabe.

Read the full story

Related News Stories: 

NJ Leans On Creaky Environmental Firepower 

Here are the N.J. toxic sites targeted in Murphy administration push


Murphy administration drops the Jersey hammer on natural resource polluters; Sues three for restoration costs Read More »

Opinion: Let’s take a closer look before Exelon unloads its Oyster Creek Nuclear Generating Station in New Jersey

Oyster Creek Generating Station in Lacey Township, NJ (Getty photo) 

By Janet Tauro
NJ Board Chairperson for Clean Water Action
It certainly sounds like good news! A New Jersey-based company wants to buy the dilapidated Oyster Creek Nuclear Generating Station in Lacey Township and promises a speedy decommissioning within nine years.

That would seem like welcome news after a recent chorus of outrage from local residents and environmental groups to Exelon’s plan to take up to 60 years to decommission the plant after it ceases operation in just a short while, September 17.

But, before there is any celebration, there are many angles to consider.

Holtec International, the Camden-based company interested in buying Oyster Creek is also the manufacturer of dry casks. It seems a conflict of interest for Holtec to both manage the Oyster Creek decommissioning, and then market their dry casks for the storage of the highly radioactive waste that has accumulated since the plant began operation in 1969. 

Holtec International also has an application before the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to open an interim nuclear waste storage facility in New Mexico. Oyster Creek’s 1.2 million pounds of waste would be shipped there if the site is approved. That may cause a huge sigh of relief for those of us living in Ocean County, but think of the logistics. That waste would be shipped across country by road, rail, or barge through densely populated areas. They would be deadly, traveling mini-Chernobyls; an incredibly high safety risk for millions.

The unvarnished, sad truth is that there isn’t a technology on earth that can address the question of how to safely store highly radioactive waste for thousands upon thousands of years. When talking about options, there are no best options. There are only least-bad options.

During the relicensing process over a decade ago, a coalition of citizens and environmental groups showed that areas of Oyster Creek were extensively corroded and degrading. This rusting plant won’t be generating electricity in another 6 weeks. So, why would a firm want to buy the plant? Included in the deal is Oyster Creek’s over $550 million decommissioning fund. Will every single cent of that fund, money that was generated by New Jersey ratepayers, go toward the decommissioning Oyster Creek? Who will ensure that no corners are cut for corporate profit?

These are questions that need to be asked and thoroughly vetted. 


The crucial missing piece here is a state-legislated independent nuclear decommissioning citizen advisory panel. Both Vermont and Maine established oversight panels when the Yankee nuclear plants were closed and decommissioned.

Independence and transparency will be essential, particularly since the NRC plans on having only one inspector on site during decommissioning. Public safety, health, and care for the environment should not be put at risk.
—————————————————————————-
Editor’s Note: Opinions shared here are those of the author only. EnviroPolitics welcomes thoughtful opinion submissions on environmental, energy and political issues. For consideration, send your essay to editor@enviropolitics.com If we fail to respond within three days, please resend. 



Opinion: Let’s take a closer look before Exelon unloads its Oyster Creek Nuclear Generating Station in New Jersey Read More »