Two ex-governors weigh in on protecting NJ water supply

Former NJ governors Tom Kean, Sr. and Jim Florio

Former New Jersey Governors Tom Kean and Jim Florio
write, in a NJ Spotlight, op-ed:

Clean, plentiful drinking water is critical for New Jersey’s families, businesses, and the future health and well-being of our state. In addition to the challenges that water-supply regulators and utilities have faced in the past, a new two-volume report released by the New Jersey Climate Adaptation Alliance brings attention to the challenges a changing climate poses to our drinking-water supplies.

The reports also offer insights on strategies that New Jersey can adopt to increase the resilience of our water supplies and the systems that deliver water to our residents.

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New Jersey slips three spots in national energy efficiency

While many states are making strides to reduce energy use, New Jersey continues to lag behind others in using energy more efficiently, according to a new national analysis.

Tom Johnson reports for NJ Spotlight:

New Jersey fell to 24th in the nation in energy efficiency, slipping three spots, according to a scorecard compiled by the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy with the support of the U.S. Department of Energy. Less than a decade ago, the state was ranked seventh in terms of energy efficiency.

Clean-energy advocates often cite the annual study as justification behind a push for more aggressive policies and investments that would allow businesses and consumers to use energy more efficiently — a win-win proposition that would cut energy bills and reduce pollution.

The factors causing the state to lose ground are all too familiar to those who want the state to put a higher priority on energy efficiency. The analysis cited diversion of funds to promote energy savings; lack of a mandatory target to reduce energy use; and an existing utility business model that does not encourage investment in energy efficiency.

“Sadly, this is a broken record,’’ lamented Doug O’Malley, director of Environment New Jersey. “The road to becoming more energy efficient is obvious: stop raiding clean-energy funds and adopt an energy efficiency portfolio standard.’’

But the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities questioned the assumptions made in the analysis and defended its efforts in promoting energy efficiency.

In a statement, the agency said the state has a decade-and-a-half history of advancing energy efficiency, having invested approximately $2.58 billion over that time — a fact the council gives no weight. Half the state’s investment in energy efficiency has been during the Christie administration.

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Second Bridgegate defense attorney grills Wildstein

On Friday, before the Bridgegate trial of Bill Baroni and Bridget Anne Kelly recessed for the weekend, it was Kelly’s attorney Michael Critchley’s turn to challenge the prosecution’s star witness, David Wildstein.

David Cruz has the story for NJTV NEWS. (See print stories below)

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A surprise agreement on transportation funding for NJ

After months of political maneuvering that resulted in the shutdown of almost all public road and bridge construction projects and lost pay for workers, Republican Gov. Chris Christie and Democrat leaders of the Senate and Assembly this afternoon made the surprise announcement that they have agreed on a plan to replenish the Transportation Trust Fund.

In exchange for a 23-cent-a-gallon increase in the gas tax (from 14.5 cents to 37.5 cents), Christie, Senate President Stephen Sweeney and Assembly Speaker Vincent Prieto said they also will phase out the estate tax and decrease the sales tax by 3/8 of a percentage point — from 7% to 6.875% in 2017 and to 6.625% in 2018.

The deal also would increase a tax credit for the working poor, among other cuts.

The Legislature is expected to meet in a special session next week to adopt the agreement.

David Cruz of NJTV NEWS has the video story and Maddie Hanna of Philly.com covers the print side: Deal raises NJ gas tax by 23 cents

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Some fear new Pa. bill would weaken enviro standards

Pine Creek in Lycoming County, Pa. Photo by Marie Cusick/STATEIMPACT

A state Senate committee approved a resolution Tuesday calling for an analysis of Pennsylvania’s environmental laws and regulations, to ascertain which ones are more stringent than federal rules.

Marie Cusick reports for STATEIMPACT:

Proponents say it helps streamline government and encourage economic growth, while environmental groups argue it’s designed to roll back standards that protect public health.

Sen. Michele Brooks (R- Crawford) is the prime sponsor. She was not available to comment Wednesday, but in a memo to fellow lawmakers, says the resolution will give Pennsylvania a more competitive business climate.

“While most certainly all of us understand the importance of our environment, this resolution is intended to find balance through practical application of the laws and regulations and at the same time permit economic growth and job creation,” Brooks wrote. “Hopefully, this can be a first step in pinpointing current laws and regulations that impact hardworking citizens and businesses.”

Joanne Kilgour heads the Pennsylvania chapter of the Sierra Club and says while the resolution appears innocuous, she remains concerned.

“Even though the resolution claims to only be about taking inventory, the obvious motivation is to try to move forward with Pennsylvania having the least restrictive regulations,” says Kilgour. “That’s the last thing we should be doing, as one of the top-polluting states in the country.”

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Largest ever NJ beach replenishment project is launched

It will stretch from Manasquan Inlet to Barnegat Inlet along the northern New Jersey Shore–a 14 mile-long beach replenishment project expected to cost $150 million.

Won’t it eventually wash away like every previous project of its kind?

Yes. Even the Army Corps of Engineers admits so, but they also say it’s still the best available solution to protect shore properties and New Jersey’s valuable tourist trade

Briana Vannozzi of NJTV NEWS has the details on the latest federal/state beach rebuilding effort.

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