Client Alert Newsletter

NJ to Strengthen Plant Security, Evaluate Environmental Justice

Tough mandatory security measures for New Jersey chemical plants, a program supported by Governor Corzine while in the Senate, are likely to be coupled with more aggressive implementation of the state's Toxic Catastrophe Prevention Act. In addition, greater attention to environmental justice issues is expected within the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. The transition report went so far as recommending legislation to institutionalize environmental justice policy and also proposed a number of initiatives to address community public health issues (e.g., creation of an Office of Environmental Health). The recommendations of the site remediation public participation task force released last year may receive additional attention in the way of formal guidance or adoption of regulations.