New Jersey Pipe Trades Association joins Clean Water, Healthy Families Good Jobs Campaign

Trenton, NJ – The Clean Water, Healthy Families, Good Jobs Campaign announced the addition of 17 new endorsing members including the New Jersey State Pipe Trades Association, Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 9, Plumbers Local 24, Pipefitters Local 274,  Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 322, Steamfitters Local 475, Sprinklerfitters Local 696, and the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO).  The new endorsing members join a list of 67 organizations, individuals and elected officials who are calling on Governor Murphy and the State Legislature to invest American Rescue Plan funds in critical water infrastructure upgrades.

“Our members build, repair and maintain the infrastructure that makes up our water systems,” said Mike Maloney, Business Manager and Secretary Treasurer of Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 9.  “We see first hand how our water systems are in grave need of expanded investment and the time to make that commitment is now while we have access to federal funding,” he continued.  “Expanding investment is a win for jobs, a win for our health, and a win for our economy.”

New Jersey is facing a $6 billion clean water funding gap over the next five years.  The total investment needed over 20 years, according to estimates from Department of Environmental Commissioner Sean LaTourette, is closer to $30 billion.  New Jersey received funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for water infrastructure, but more is needed.

“We’re thrilled to count the Pipe Trades and others as a part of our historically diverse coalition,” said Clean Water, Healthy Families, Good Jobs Co-chair Mo Kinberg.  “When labor, business, environmental and community groups come together on an issue, it sends a clear message that expanding investment in water infrastructure needs to be a top priority as the Murphy Administration and State Legislature consider how to allocate the remaining $3 billion in American Rescue Plan Funds,” continued Kinberg.

New Jersey is facing a number of water infrastructure challenges including the replacement of  lead service lines, remediating chemical contamination in drinking water supplies, addressing combined sewer overflows and upgrading stormwater systems.  Additional funding would help ease the burden that taxpayers and ratepayers will have to shoulder in the future.

“If we wait, these problems become more expensive,” said Kinberg.  “The Governor and State Legislature have an opportunity to make a transformative investment in an absolutely essential resource–clean water,” said Kinberg.

Endorsing Members

• New Jersey State Pipe Trades Association
• Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 9
• Plumbers Local Union 24
• Pipefitters Local Union 274
• Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 322
• Steamfitters Local Union Local 475
• Sprinklerfitters Local 696
• International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO
• Bob Smith, NJ State Senate
• Mayor Andre Sayegh, City of Paterson
• Albert Capuzzi, AJC0 LLC
• Alan Hunt, Muscongnetcong Watershed Association
• Alisa Owen, Weymouth Township MUA
• Amanda Jones, Sustainable Jersey City
• Amy Goldsmith, Clean Water Action
• Anthony Abrantes, Eastern Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters
• Bill Armbruster, Journal Square Community Association’s Green Committee
• Bill Schultz, Raritan Riverkeeper
• Brenda Swinney, Garfield Ave Block Association
• Bruno Figueiredo, NA
• Carol Katz, Katz Government Affairs, LLC
• Caroline Koch, WaterNow Alliance
• Christine Sturm, NJ Future
• Crystal Wessel, New Jersey Tree Foundation
• David Smith, Trenton Water Works
• Deandrah Cameron, New Jersey Future
• Debra Italiano, Sustainable Jersey City
• Debra Italiano
• Elliott Ruga, New Jersey Highlands Coalition
• Erika Bernal, The Plastic Wave Project
• Fallon Davis, STEAM URBAN
• FCI NJ
• Frances Harrison, Paterson Green Team
• Gail Rottenstrich, Borough of Fair Lawn
• Greg Remaud, NY/NJ Baykeeper
• Heather Fenyk, Lower Raritan Watershed Partnership
• Howard Levsion, Township of South Orange Village Water Utility
• James McGroarty, Clyde N Lattimer & Son Construction Company, Inc
• Jamie Bruno, Urban Agriculture Cooperative
• Jane Kenny, The Whitman Strategy Group
• Jennifer Adkins, American Rivers
• Jill Pustorino, Morris Park Neighborhood Association
• Jocelyn Patrick, Riverview Neighborhood Association
• John Algera, Urban Wilderness Renewal
• Jose Amarante, Perth Amboy
• Joseph Maraziti
• Klaus Buschan, Friends of Weequahic Park
• Kristin Epstein, Trenton Water Works
• LAURIE HOWARD, PASSAIC RIVER COALITION
• LOUIS PREZEAU, LA CASA DE DON PEDRO
• Lucia Ruggiero, American Littoral Society
• Marc Adelberg, Sustainable JC
• Martha Arencibia, Paterson Green Team
• Michael Pessolano, MJP Land Use Planning LLC
• Michele Langa, Hackensack Riverkeeper
• Missy Frankil
• Moriah Kinberg, Sewage-Free Streets and Rivers
• NANCY GRIER, Neighborhood Assistance Office
• Nicole Miller, NewarkDIG (Doing Infrastructure Green)
• Nicole Miller, Newark Green Team
• Noelle Thurlow, Resilience Adventures
• Pam Mount, Terhune Orchards
• Patricia Lindsay-Harvey, Willingboro Community Development Corporation
• Richard Calbi, Ridgewood Water
• Richard Lawton, New Jersey Sustainable Business Council
• Robert Maybury, Mount Holly Municipal Utilities Authority
• Ryan Krause, South Monmouth Regional Sewage Authority
• Sabrina Ross, Unified Vailsburg Services Organization
• Shaquille Fearon
• Sheila Baker Gujral, Association of NJ Environmental Commissions (ANJEC)
• Steve Kehayes, Paterson Habitat for Humanity
• Taylor Kenerson, Connecting U
• Theresa Bocchino
• Tim Dillingham, American Littoral Society
• Tobias Fox, Newark Science and Sustainability Inc
• Troy Benavidez, American Standard/LIXIL
• Vera Figueiredo, Solar One
• William Kibler, Raritan Headwaters
• Wynnie-Fred Victor Hinds, Weequahic Park Association

About the Campaign

The Clean Water, Healthy Families and Good Jobs Campaign is a coalition of diverse organizations and individuals representing the environment, labor and business.

Steering Committee Members include:

• Chris Sturm, New Jersey Future, Co-chair
• Mo Kinberg, New Jersey Future, Co-chair
• Chrissy Ballard, Association of Environmental Authorities
• Ray Cantor, NJ Business & Industry Association
• Tom Churchelow, NJ Utilities Association
• Kim Gaddy, South Ward Environmental Alliance
• Kate Gibbs, ELEC 825, Operators
• Barbara George Johnson, NJ Urban Mayors Association
• Dan Kennedy, Utility and Transportation Contractors Association
• Larry Levine,  Natural Resources Defense Council
• Andy Kricun, US Water Alliance
• Nicole Miller, MnM Consulting
• Doug O’Malley, Environment New Jersey
• Ed Potosnak, NJ League of Conservation Voters
• Ciro Scalera,  NJ Laborers Union – Labor-Management Trust Fund
• Cheryl Stowell, NJ SHARES