Platform Update

November 2009

SITE REMEDIATION: Yesterday the DEP posted the interim Administrative Requirements for the Remediation of Contaminated Sites (ARRCS) Rules on the DEP website. Click here to view the interim rules. Several P4P Environment Coalition members provided valuable input and suggestions that were incorporated in the rules now in place.

The Site Remediation Reform Act (SRRA) provides sweeping changes to the way sites are remediated in New Jersey.  It establishes a program for the licensing of LSRPs who will have responsibility for oversight of environmental investigation and cleanup.  The DEP will retain significant authority over the remediation process and will ensure that LSRPs comply with all applicable regulations, but the day-to-day management of site remediation will be overseen by qualified LSRPs.

For an overview of the LSRP program, click here to view the presentation DEP Assistant Commissioner Irene Kropp has provided to various stakeholders.

Under the current rules if a site has been in the DEP site remediation system for longer than 10 years and a remedial investigation (RI) has not been completed, the responsible party has five years from the date of enactment to do an RI. Essentially that means the remedial investigation must be completed for the entire site by May 2014, or the DEP must take over the remediation.  If you have questions regarding a potential site, the Department suggests contacting your case manager for a status report.

Passing legislation that improves the site remediation process, utilizing the recommendations from the State Chamber’s 2007 Site Remediation Benchmarking study, is a primary goal of the P4P Environment Coalition.

SCIENCE ADVISORY BOARD: The DEP is still in the process of reviewing 108 candidate applications from those wishing to serve on its new Science Advisory Board and four standing committees. After reviewing the applications, DEP Commissioner Mauriello will provide his staff with a “short list” and those applicants will have to provide the Department with a completed “conflict of interest” form before the final selections are made.

The State Chamber has submitted several recommendations for consideration, including members of the P4P Environment Coalition.

The Science Advisory Board was created by Administrative Order 2009-05 and will, at the Commissioner's request, provide independent peer review and advice on scientific and technical issues relevant to the DEP's mission.  The Board will deliver its findings and recommendations to the Commissioner through the DEP's Office of Science, which also will serve as the liaison with the Commissioner, DEP staff and the public.

Passing legislation that establishes a Science and Policy Review Board to review proposed environmental regulations is a primary goal of the P4P Environment Coalition.

NJ GLOBAL WARMING EMISSIONS PLAN: Earlier this year Platform members participated in a series of six stakeholder meetings held to solicit input on the draft of the Global Warming Response Act Recommendation Report. Jeanne Herb of the DEP has reported that the Department continues to work closely with Rutgers University on the final product before it is issued to the Governor and members of the State Legislature.

Passing legislation or promulgating regulations that reduce energy consumption, stimulate “green jobs”, and provide incentives to the business community, is a primary goal of the P4P Environment Coalition.

ITEMS OF INTEREST 

ISSUES FOR GOVERNOR-ELECT CHRIS CHRISTIE:  NJ Governor-Elect Chris Christie said his first executive order will be to freeze unfunded mandates and new regulations for 90 days.  A Red Tape Review Group headed by Lieutenant Governor-Elect Kim Guadagno will review the state's codes to identify mandates on businesses and municipalities that can be repealed.

Additionally, he will ask the state comptroller to conduct an audit of government spending, enforce hard spending caps at the local level, and create a new grant program to encourage shared services.  Other issues include his commitment to charter schools and to improving public education. 

STATE CHAMBER PRESIDENT KICKS-OFF NJ CLEAN ENERGY CONFERENCE:  On October 21, State Chamber President Joan Verplanck , along with New Jersey League of Municipalities President Bill Dressel, served as conference co-chairs of the 2009 New Jersey Clean Energy Conference.

At the Atlantic City event, Verplanck told audience participants that reducing our carbon footprint and initiating green programs will take a collective approach in order to achieve success. She said many State Chamber members are already doing their part and serving as role models.  She also praised the Board of Public Utilities (BPU) and the Clean Energy Program for providing incentives and technical support that encourages companies to take steps toward long-term sustainability.

Verplanck discussed the State Chamber’s Cornerstone New Jersey program and how the organization is developing an initiative designed to show businesses of all sizes how easy it is to go “green.” In the coming months, while partnering with groups such as the BPU, the State Chamber will help lead the way so that employers, employees and the state’s residents have the necessary tools to be part of the solution and are afforded all the economic opportunities of the green movement.

In related news, Governor Corzine announced that solar energy installations in New Jersey increased ten-fold since 2006. The state now has 100 megawatts (MW) of solar energy installed, which is enough to supply the electricity needs for more than 15,000 New Jersey homes. As a result, New Jersey now has the most solar installations in the country per square mile, surpassing California by nearly two to one. 

NYNJPA OFFERS CLEAN AIR INCENTIVES:  The Commissioners for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey recently authorized nearly $9 million for a pair of initiatives designed to improve air quality around the Port of Newark/Elizabeth. Under the first initiative, the Port Authority will reimburse ocean vessel operators up to 50 percent of the cost differential between high-sulfur and low-sulfur fuel. The vessels also must participate in a speed reduction program. The ocean-going vessel program will cost $6.36 million.  Under the second program, port tenants replacing cargo-handling equipment with new equipment that meets federal on-road air emission standards will be reimbursed for 20 percent of the cost. About 125 pieces are expected to be replaced through the $2.24 million cargo equipment upgrade program.

The Port Authority, which has a goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions 80 percent by 2050, previously replaced more than 600 of its oldest and most polluting trucks with cleaner new models.

NJ WASTEWISE BUSINESS NETWORK:  The NJ WasteWise Business Network is the local chapter of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s WasteWise, a voluntary program that promotes waste reduction, recycling and use of recycled products. As companies move to cut costs in lean times, waste reduction and re-use is gaining traction among a growing number of businesses in New Jersey .  Their next meeting will be Nov. 13 from 9:30 a.m. to noon at the PSE&G facility on Hadley Road in South Plainfield .  Please RSVP to Steven.Rinaldi@dep.state.nj.us if you are interested in attending.

ENVIRONMENT-TIP-OF-THE-MONTH: Your old refrigerator or freezer may be adding $150 per year to your energy bill. The Refrigerator/Freezer Recycling program is a new initiative from New Jersey 's Clean Energy Program.  This program promotes responsible recycling of refrigerators and freezers in New Jersey and offers a $30 cash incentive.  For more information, click here.

Click here for previous update.


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