NJ bill derided as a 'rain tax' is law. Here's what it really is and who will pay.
News Article • 3/20/2019 • by Scott Fallon at North Jersey
Towns and counties will have the power to impose fees on property owners to pay for upgrades to antiquated stormwater systems based on how much they contribute to runoff, under a bill signed into law Monday by Gov. Phil Murphy.
COMMUNITIES GET THE OK TO ASSESS FEES TO FUND STORMWATER UTILITIES
News Article • 3/20/2019 • by Tom Johnson at NJ Spotlight
A decade-long battle to give local governments a tool to deal with storm runoff — the state’s biggest source of pollution for streams, rivers, and bays — ended yesterday with Gov. Phil Murphy signing a bill without fanfare that will do just that.
New Jersey LCV Statement on Flood Defense Act Becoming Law
Press Release • 3/18/2019
Governor Murphy once again demonstrated his strong environmental leadership by signing the bipartisan Flood Defense Act into law today. The Flood Defense Act gives New Jersey communities the authority to better clean up polluted runoff and defend themselves against damaging flooding.
NEW JERSEY LCV STATEMENT ON NEW EXXON NATURAL RESOURCE DAMAGE ACTION
Press Release • 3/8/2019
NEWARK, NJ — Ed Potosnak, executive director of New Jersey League of Conservation Voters, released the following statement today on the Attorney General’s Office and Department of Environmental Protection’s announcement of a new Natural Resource Damage lawsuit:
"We are thrilled Attorney General Grewel and Commissioner McCabe are continuing to build on Governor Murphy’s commitment to hold polluters accountable in New Jersey for the harm they’ve caused to our businesses, families, and environment. Holding ExxonMobil accountable for the extensive contamination at the 12-acre Lail property in Gloucester County will help restore the community damaged by pollution. This is a significant change in course from the Christie Administration which was more interested in settling for pennies on the dollar with Exxon than protecting our communities and following the strong laws we have in place to do so.
MURPHY HITS BRAKES ON DIVERSION OF FUNDS FROM HOUSING, ENERGY PROGRAMS
News Article • 3/6/2019 • by Tom Johnson and Colleen O'Dea at NJ Spotlight
Gov. Phil Murphy pledged to end the practice of diverting funds from state affordable-housing and clean-energy programs, a budget tactic embraced by previous governors that he had continued, albeit not as aggressively as his predecessors.
MURPHY REDUCES ENVIRONMENTAL DIVERSIONS IN FY20
Press Release • 3/5/2019
TRENTON, NJ- Today, Governor Murphy announced his proposed budget for FY20, which included several changes to environmental priorities.
“We are excited to see the restoration the of Clean Energy Fund program to its mission and the prioritization of climate change resiliency,” said Ed Potosnak, Executive Director of New Jersey League of Conservation Voters. “In the past, this fund was used to pay for dirty fossil fuel energy or to plug budget holes, instead of investing in a clean energy future. Governor Murphy has made it clear that the environment continues to be a top priority even after an impressive first year of pro-conservation actions. We’ll be looking at funding for the DEP to ensure the state can hold polluters accountable and expand critical conservation programs.”
Pinelands pipeline in doubt after B.L. England owner quits natural gas plan
News Article • 2/28/2019 • by Russ Zimmer at Asbury Park Press
"Governor Murphy and his administration have steadfastly stood by their commitment to 100 (percent) clean energy by 2050, and because of that, we are beginning to see the makings of a fossil-free New Jersey," said Ed Potosnak, executive director of New Jersey League of Conservation Voters, in a statement this morning.
NEW JERSEY LCV STATEMENT ON THE SJG PIPELINE ROADBLOCK
Press Release • 2/28/2019
"Governor Murphy and his administration have steadfastly stood by their commitment to 100% clean energy by 2050, and because of that, we are beginning to see the makings of a fossil-free New Jersey. We are thrilled to see the decision to withdraw from the ongoing litigation and the letter from the Attorney General's office asking the court not to move forward. Thank you to the administration and all of the groups who fought tirelessly to stop this unnecessary pipeline, especially Pinelands Preservation Alliance."
New Jersey LCV and National LCV Release 2018 National Environmental Scorecard
Press Release • 2/27/2019
“As the Trump administration continued its assault on our most important environmental protections, we’re more determined than ever before to hold members of Congress accountable for putting polluters ahead of our families,” said Ed Potosnak, Executive Director of New Jersey LCV. “During the 2018 midterms, New Jersey voters sent a clear message to Congress—if you side with polluters and score low on environmental issues, you will be voted out. The 2018 National Environmental Scorecard demonstrated we can count on Senators Booker and Menendez, as well as Representatives Pallone, Watson Coleman, Pascrell, Payne, Sires and Norcross to consistently fight for us.”
New Jersey LCV Statement on NJGOP’s Increasingly False Statements
Press Release • 2/6/2019
The lawmakers who are spreading false information in an attempt to block the bipartisan Flood Defense Act are not only losing the trust of their constituents, but are turning their backs on clean water and safe communities for New Jersey families and businesses. We call on these lawmakers to end their politically motivated campaign of deceit and unite behind a common-sense goal of protecting New Jersey’s clean drinking water.