3 months ago
Lax regulation until recently
The action is the latest attempt to curb PFAS in New Jersey, which has some the nation’s highest concentrations of the chemicals because of its long industrial heritage, and until recently, lax regulation. In the last five years, the state has set some of the nation’s strictest health standards for PFOS, PFOA and a related chemical, PFNA (perfluornonanoic acid).
In November last year, the state sued Solvay Specialty Polymers, a Gloucester County chemical company, for allegedly polluting local groundwater with PFNA. In 2019, it issued a directive to that company and four others that it said had contaminated water supplies for years and done little to clean them up.
N.J. sues U.S. military, wants feds to pay for tainted drinking water cleanup
Updated Jan 14, 2021;
Posted Jan 14, 2021
Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst is known to have high-levels of PFAS contamination.Michael Mancuso | NJ Advance Media file photo
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For decades, the U.S. military used a special foam to fight fires on bases around the Garden State. That foam, and the toxic chemicals inside it, slowly seeped into the surrounding area and throughout groundwater supplies, according to New Jersey authorities, compromising the safety of nearby drinking water.
Now, New Jersey wants Uncle Sam to clean up the mess.
On Thursday, the state Attorney General’s office and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection announced a lawsuit against the federal government over long-standing water pollution on and near military bases in the Garden State.
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Lately, we’ve seen efforts by public bodies to clamp down on public comment. In December, the Rutgers Board of Governors voted to limit the number of speakers to 12 and give them two minutes each. On Monday, the Hudson County Board of Commissioners passed the first draft of an ordinance limiting total public comment time to two hours, after listening to nine hours of opposition to renewing their jail contract with ICE.
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Former Gov. Jon Corzine years ago called her the “conscience of the Legislature.” Gov. Phil Murphy yesterday said she may be “the most consequential legislator in the history of our state.” Former Gov. Chris Christie wanted to “take the bat out on her.”
LGBTQ man makes history in promotion to N.J. environmental leader
Updated Jan 13, 2021;
Posted Jan 13, 2021
Shawn LaTourette, acting commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.Courtesy of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection
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There’s a new environmental boss in the Garden State.
Shawn LaTourette has been named Acting Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, Gov. Phil Murphy announced on Wednesday. LaTourette is currently serving as deputy commissioner and chief of staff of the DEP.
LaTourette replaces current commissioner Catherine McCabe, who is retiring after her last day at DEP on Friday. LaTourette will serving in an acting capacity until Murphy makes a formal nomination of a permanent commissioner to the state senate.