News Flash

Assembly Advances Bill that Could Mean Increased Utility Costs

The Assembly has passed A-4791, which would establish a “Resiliency and Environmental System Investment Charge Program.” The program would allow water and wastewater utilities to recover, outside of their rates, the cost of in...

CSSR Announces Relaunch of Brownfield Development Area Program

Contaminated Site Remediation and Redevelopment (CSSR) has announced the relaunching of the Brownfield Development Area (BDA) Program. 

Under the BDA approach, the CSSR’s Office of Brownfield & Community Revitalization works with sel...

NJDEP Releases Model Tree Removal/Replacement Ordinance

Last year the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) revised the Tier A Municipal Stormwater General Permit. They also took steps to reclassify all municipalities into the Tier A category. The revised permit requires municipalities to a...

Reminder to Complete the NJ Clean Energy Programs Survey

The Rutgers Center for Green Building (RCGB) is conducting an online survey for the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU) to better understand how the New Jersey Clean Energy program can better meet the needs of municipalities. The goal is to gain ...

Mayor Bollwage Testified Before Congressional Committee

Elizabeth Mayor Chris Bollwage, NJLM Past President, testified on Wednesday on reauthorization of the Brownfields Program on behalf of the League’s federal partner, the National League of Cities, and the U.S. Conference of Mayo...

Reminder to Complete the NJ Clean Energy Programs Survey

The Rutgers Center for Green Building (RCGB) is conducting an online survey for the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU) to better understand how the New Jersey Clean Energy program can better meet the needs of municipalities. The goal is to gain ...

NJ Clean Energy Programs Survey

The Rutgers Center for Green Building (RCGB) is conducting an online survey for the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU) to better understand how the New Jersey Clean Energy program can better meet the needs of municipalities. The goal is to gain ...

Lunch & Learn: State Planning Commission – State Plan Update

The State Planning Commission has embarked on updating the State Development and Redevelopment Plan.   Come learn about the Plan, the process involved, and how the Commission can help make this process valuable to municipal stakeholders. After an...

NJDEP Holds Inland Flood Protection Rule Q&A Session

On Thursday, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) hosted an “Ask the Administrator Q&A Session” to answer questions from the public regarding the Inland Flood Protection rule and implementation.

On hand to answer questions were...

NJDEP Publishes Proposed Rules for Advanced Clean Cars Program

The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) has issued proposed new rules and amendments to the Air Pollution Control rules, related to the state’s Advanced Clean Cars II Program. 

The primary component of this rulemaking is the ...

New Rules and Amendments Proposed for NJ Historic Trust Grants

The Department of Community Affairs (DCA) has published proposed rules and amendments related to the Garden State Historic Preservation Trust Fund Grants.

The New Jersey Historic Trust is authorized to implement funding for Open Space, Farmland, and Histor...

NJBPU Proposes Rule Amendments Applicable to Municipalities

On August 21, New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU) published proposed rule amendments governing all utilities, including municipal water and wastewater utilities. These changes include:  

1. The extension of the Winter Termination Program to ...

DEP Calls for Projects to Replace Diesel Vehicles

The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has announced a follow up $13 million funding opportunity for local governments to replace their medium and heavy-duty diesel vehicles with electric vehicles using funds from the Regional Greenho...

Governor Murphy Signs Boardwalk Preservations Fund

On Tuesday, August 15, Governor Murphy signed S-3989/A-5675, now P.L.2023, c.136, establishing the Boardwalk Preservation Fund and appropriating $100 million in American Rescue Plan funds for the renovation and repair of boardwalks in shore communities ac...

Lunch & Learn: NJDEP – Extreme Heat Resilience Action Plan

Earlier this week the League held a Lunch and Learn with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) on its Extreme Heat Resilience Action Plan. A recording of the program is now available on the League’s website.

NJDEP&rsqu...

State Issues Notice on Local Regulation of Beekeeping Activities

The League has become aware of a statement issued by the New Jersey Department of Agriculture (NJDA) to municipal officials regarding restraints on municipal regulation of apiary and beekeeping activities.  

The statement, dated July 14, 2023, exp...

NJDEP Announces Green Acres Funding

The NJ Department of Environmental Protection’s (NJDEP) Green Acres Program has announced its 2024 funding round for land acquisition, park development, stewardship, implementing Jake’s Law (Inclusive Playgrounds), and Urban Parks proj...

Governor Signs Advanced Clean Cars Proposal

Governor Phil Murphy announced New Jersey has signed the Advanced Clean Cars II (ACCII) proposal. The goal of the ACCII is to have zero-emission vehicles make up 100% of new light-duty vehicle sales by 2035. While the proposal does not impose obligations ...

Congress Moves to Reauthorize National Flood Insurance Program

The National Flood Insurance Program Reauthorization (NFIP-RE) Act of 2023 (H.R.4349/S.2142) has been introduced in both the House and Senate with bipartisan support in both chambers. 

The National Flood Insurance Program Reauthorization (NFIP Re)...

Inland Flood Protection Rules to Take Effect in July

The new Inland Flood Protection Rules update New Jersey’s existing flood hazard and stormwater regulations by replacing current precipitation estimates with modern data that attempts to account for observed and projected increases in ra...

Christmas Tree Bonfire Bill Advances

Municipalities throughout the state have hosted community events centered on bonfires using discarded Christmas trees. These events have become economic drivers for the local economy and provide a fundraising opportunity for local causes, including, most ...

Featured Grants - June 2023

State Funding for Municipal Use

• Municipal Aid Available for Transportation Projects (Deadline: 7/1/23)
• NJDEP | Coastal Management Program | Community-Based Art Grant Program – (Deadline: 6/30/23)
• Spotted Lanternfly Treatment Funding (Deadline: 9/1/23)
• Afforda...

Spotted Lanternfly Grant Program for Counties and Municipalities

The NJ Department of Agriculture has announced the availability of grant money to assist counties and municipalities slow the spread and reduce spotted lanternfly populations across the state. 

Nearly $5 million has been made available for the gra...

Christmas Tree Bonfire Bill Advances

On Monday, the Senate Environment and Energy Committee advanced S-861, legislation that would allow municipalities to conduct an annual event for the open burning of Christmas trees.  

Municipalities throughout the state have hosted community even...

Governor Issues Conditional Veto of Flooding Notification Bill

As part of his conditional veto of S-3110/A-4783, Governor Murphy has suggested the bill be amended to provide that a tenant whose landlord fails to provide the required notifications may terminate the lease without penalty any time afte...

NJDEP Releases Draft MS4 Model Ordinances

The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) has released two draft model ordinances related to the new conditions as part of the updated MS4 Tier A permit and will be accepting informal comments until May 12.   

The firs...

Right to Farm Protections Extended to Aquaculture Activities

This week, Governor Phil Murphy signed S-428 into law, amending the Right to Farm Act to specify that shellfish aquaculture activities are eligible for Right to Farm Act protections. 

To be eligible for Right to Farm protections a shellfish commer...

League Seeking Information on MS4 Permit Compliance

The League is asking our members to answer a short survey aimed at gathering information related to individual municipalities efforts to comply with the NJDEP’s new MS4 permit program requirements.   

The New Jersey Department o...

NJDEP Provides Details on MS4 Permit Compliance Grants

In February, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) announced it would be making available of $19 million in grants to help municipalities with the transition to new municipal stormwater permitting requirements. Additional details o...

NJBPU Seeking Input on LED Streetlight Program

The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU) has issued a Request for Comments, seeking input from interested parties regarding the conversion of existing streetlights to LED streetlights. Specifically, seeking information related to streetlight and p...

NJDEP Hosting Meeting for Mayors on MS4 Grant Program

The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) will be hosting an executive information session for mayors to review the recently announced grant program to assist municipalities with the new stormwater permitting requirements.&...

NJDEP Announces Grants to Assist with New MS4 Permit Requirements

The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) has announced the availability of $19 million in grants to help municipalities with the transition to new municipal stormwater permitting requirements. Details on the grant program have not bee...

Special Occasion Events on Preserved Farmland Bill Signed

Governor Phil Murphy has signed legislation authorizing commercial farms located on preserved farmland to hold special occasion events.

The new law expands authorization of special occasion events at commercial farms and wineries on preserved farmland. The...

NJPDES Permit Fees Stakeholder Meeting

This week, League staff participated in a stakeholder meeting hosted by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) regarding the New Jersey Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NJPDES) permit fees. The meeting was to introduce the NJ...

League Seeking Information on LIHWAP Participation

The League continues to work with legislators and the administration to better understand the scope of municipal utility and local authority participation in the Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP), and to develop an agreeable solution ...

Bill Authorizing Special Occasion Events on Preserved Farmland on Track to Become Law

On Thursday, the Assembly voted to approve the recommendations of Governor Murphy’s conditional veto of S-757, after suspending their normal rules to include the bill onto the voting session board list.

The legislation looks to expand au...

Senate Committee Discusses Bill Looking to Increase Utility Participation in LIHWAP

This week, the Senate Economic Growth Committee reviewed S-3333 for discussion only. While the League agrees that additional efforts are needed to ensure the success of the Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP), we do not agree t...

NJDEP Announces Reimbursements for Radon Test Kits

The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) is offering Radon Awareness Program (RAP) grants to all municipalities, on a first come basis to be distributed to residents. Please see the Radon Action Partnership Packet, t...

USDOE Announces Funding for EECBG Program

The Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) Program is designed to assist states, local governments, and tribes in implementing strategies to reduce energy use, reduce fossil fuel emissions, and improve energy efficiency. The U.S. Departmen...

FY2023 Federal Omnibus Budget Passed

In the final week of December, the House and Senate passed, and President Biden signed a $1.7 trillion FY2023 federal budget through September 30, 2023. For provisions of state and local interest, please read the League’s two blog posts, the fir...

White House Releases Inflation Reduction Act Clean Energy Guidebook

Last week, the White House released the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) Guidebook of Clean Energy provisions in the law. This guidebook provides an overview of the clean energy, climate mitigation and resilience, agriculture, and conservation-relat...