Recently, the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (“NJEDA”) announced the launch of the new Brownfields Impact Fund, a new program offering loans and sub-grants to eligible applicants across New Jersey to promote remediation of contaminated sites.
After determining that a facility is subject to the Environmental Justice Law, N.J.S.A. 13:1D-157, et seq., a facility must comply with the provisions of the Environmental Justice Law before the Department of Environmental Protection ("DEP") will complete the review process for an application for a new permit for a facility; an application for the expansion of a facility; or a renewal application for a major source permit.
In 2020, Governor Murphy signed New Jersey’s landmark Environmental Justice Law, N.J.S.A. 13:1D-157, et seq., which requires the Department of Environmental Protection ("DEP") to consider whether certain facilities seeking specific types of permits will contribute to existing environmental and public health stressors in overburdened communities.
On November 16, 2021, the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (BPU) announced a redesigned Community Energy Plan Grant Program, which significantly simplifies the application process and places a greater emphasis on equity and environmental justice.
On October 25, 2021 and October 28, 2021, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) provided updated guidance to help employers with the influx of religious accommodations from job applicants and employees pertaining to COVID-19 vaccine mandates, masking requirements, and testing requirements.
On November 10, 2021, Governor Murphy signed Executive Order 274, which sets a new near-term target for the reduction of New Jersey’s greenhouse gas emissions to 50% below 2006 levels by the year 2030. Previously, pursuant to the Global Warming Response Act, N.J.S.A. 26:2C-37, New Jersey sought a statewide reduction of greenhouse gas emissions to 80% below 2006 levels by the year 2050.
On October 20, 2021, Governor Murphy announced a proposal to inject the Department of Environmental Protection’s (DEP) Green Acres Program with over $100 million.
In 2020, Money Magazine ranked Mount Laurel Township one of the best places to live in America considering its schools, transportation, access, and mix of corporate businesses and residential homes. It is the place to be, and today, that includes individuals and families from all socio-economic levels.
The Supreme Court has issued a ruling in the matter of Mahanoy Area School Dist. v. B.L., finding in favor of the high school student disciplined for her use of offensive language in a social media post made off campus, outside of school hours and away from the school’s premises.
As discussed in a prior Parker McCay blog post, over the past few years, the New Jersey Senate has introduced bills attempting to erode the protections afforded to businesses by post-employment restrictive covenants.