Platform Update

December 17, 2007

BENCHMARKING: The site remediation benchmark study was referenced at a regulatory conference on site remediation and land use at the Trenton Marriott hosted by Langan Engineering & Environmental Services. Langan Senior Associate Jorge Berkowitz moderated a panel discussion on “What’s New in New Jersey” and State Chamber Staff member, Mike Egenton provided details of the study to audience participants.

Several Platform members have provided valuable input on how their New Jersey facilities measure up against other states with similar facilities in the site remediation arena. The study has been distributed to DEP Assistant Commissioner Irene Kropp, the Office of Economic Growth (OEG) and Senate Environment Committee Chairman Bob Smith. The State Legislature will be crafting bills to reform the site remediation program. Senator Smith has instructed Kevil Duhon of Senate staff to work closely with the Platform members in the upcoming 213th legislative session, which starts on January 8.

For copies of the study, contact Mike Egenton at michael@njchamber.com

REGULATORY RELIEF: Several P4P Coalition members met with Kevin Drennan, Executive Director of the NJ Commerce Commission, to discuss the volumes of regulation issued by the DEP in the last eight months – ranging from the proposed soil remediation standards to the proposed rule on water quality management planning. Platform representatives discussed their concerns with specific regulatory proposals, the frustration of non-coordination among the various divisions within DEP, and what the cumulative affect these rule proposals will have on the business community. Kevin Drennan was receptive to our concerns and suggested that our group meet on a regular basis in an effort for his office to have more input to the proposals.

REINVIGORATING RECYCLING: Last week a joint NJ Wastewise Business Network Meeting and a combined EPA Wastewise Meeting / NJ Reinvigorating Recycling Session was held. DEP Assistant Commissioner Nancy Wittenberg shared her thoughts on the importance of our work in the recycling and waste management field. The meeting also afforded the Business Work group an opportunity to release the NJ Waste Reduction and Recycling Best Practices Resource Manual CD. This is the first generation for the tool and comments are welcomed on what works and what may be missing either by subject matter or economic sector. For more information, contact platform representative Al Fralinger of PSE&G at Albert.FralingerIii@pseg.com

Al Fralinger must also be congratulated on all his hard work and effort in coordinating the Business-To-Business recycling seminars that were held throughout the state. To date workshops have been held in Cumberland, Somerset, Union, Sussex, Middlesex, Burlington and Cape May counties.

The Platform is working to advocate a waste management system that minimizes waste generation through source reduction, reuse and recycling by assisting in the coordination of county business-to-business workshops under the efforts of the Reinvigorating Recycling Coalition.

ITEMS OF INTEREST

DEP RULES CONCERN DCA COMMISSIONER: Department of Community Affairs Commissioner Joseph Doria spoke last week before the Assembly Housing and Local Government Committee and suggested that tougher environmental protection standards should be altered to help bolster New Jersey's affordable housing effort. He said that while 1.3 million acres of land in the state remains undeveloped, standards proposed by the DEP would limit any future housing development to 300,000. The housing-related DEP regulations include preventing construction within 300 feet of streams that feed reservoirs, upgrading quality standards for the waterway, and prohibiting the construction of sewer lines near pristine waterways or endangered species habitats.

DEP disputed the claim by saying that the restrictions were put in place to protect environmental resources like water and habitat. Assembly Housing and Local Government Committee Chairman Jerry Green countered by insisting there are people in the environmental community “who want New Jersey to become one big green acre.” He suggested that state environmental officials and activists be brought into the affordable housing discussion.

Several Platform members are actively involved with a coalition organized by NJ Future called Smart Housing for Economic Prosperity. The group will meet monthly until May to devise recommendations for increasing the amount of -housing, which will include specific funding sources for any new programs. A second desired outcome is for task force members to advocate for the proposal. The group will coordinate closely with the Corzine administration and recommendations will be incorporated into the Governor’s plan for 100,000 homes.

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Michael Egenton
Vice President , Environment & Transportation
New Jersey Chamber of Commerce
216 West State Street
Trenton, NJ 08608
Phone: (609)989-7888 Ext. 119
Fax: (609)989-9696
Michael.Egenton@njchamber.com