NJ Legislature Pushing Forward Great Legislation: PFAs, Green Acres, Open Space, Food Labeling 

TRENTON, NJ –– Today, the Senate Environment and Energy Committee at 10 AM released the following legislation. Here are statements from Anjuli Ramos-Busot, the New Jersey Sierra Club Chapter Director;

S2712 (Singleton): Prohibits sale, manufacture, distribution, and use of firefighting foam containing intentionally added perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAs. Firefighting foams with these chemicals directly jeopardize the health, safety, and well-being of firefighters.

“Firefighting foam containing PFAs is one of the biggest exposure routes for PFAs contamination, either directly to the firefighters and through the percolation of the foam to groundwater and ultimately to our drinking water. PFAs are a part of our everyday lives and we need to continue toward removing them from all consumer products, including firefighting foam, which puts our front line defenders in harm’s way.”

S2186 (Greenstein/Smith): This bill covers a group of invasive plant species in the State that are widespread and pose a high risk to the ecology of the NJ. It prohibits sale, distribution, or propagation of certain invasive plant species without a permit from the Department of Agriculture. The department will adopt rules and regulations for the safe permitting of invasives, including ways to reduce risks for spread and warning labels. The department may also consider adding new species to the invasive species list.

“The New Jersey Sierra Club is ecstatic to see that this invasive species bill was released out of committee. This is work long overdue for the state since we are 1 out of 5 states in the entire country that does not prohibit the sale of invasive species. As part of the New Jersey Forest Task Force, we are excited to see that the bill got amended today in committee to reestablish the New Jersey Invasive Species Council.”

S3362 (Greenstein/Codey): This bill appropriates $53,249,310 from constitutionally dedicated CBT revenues to DEP for State acquisition of open space and lands for recreation and conservation purposes, including Blue Acres projects, and Green Acres Program administrative costs. It also appropriates 10 million to the DEP to provide funding to properties throughout the state that are prone to flood or storm damage.

“The New Jersey Sierra Club agrees that it is always necessary to provide funds for blue acres and green acres; therefore, we are happy to see that the Senate Environment Committee released this bill.”

S418 (Smith, B/Greenstein): Establishes standards for food date labeling; requires the Commissioner of Health to establish a public education program and promulgate guidelines related to food safety.

“Food waste is one of our biggest sources of greenhouse gasses today. The labeling of food quality via expiration dates is confusing because there are many different types of labels that the public does not understand. These confusing labels make families and grocery stores across the country throw away tons of food that can be consumed and that is in good condition because of labeling. This is a waste problem, a climate problem, and an economic problem. The New Jersey Sierra Club supports better labeling and the education campaign from the Department of Health.”

S3305 (Smith, B/Ruiz): Requires BPU to allow low- and moderate-income residential customers to self-attest income for participation in community solar programs.

“We strongly support making community solar an easier program for low and medium income families to take advantage of. We should be making these programs more streamlined for communities who need it the most.”

S3361 (Smith, B/Stanfield): Appropriates $64.929 million from constitutionally dedicated CBT revenues for recreation and conservation purposes to DEP for State capital and park development projects.

“We support this bill and the appropriated funding toward parks and recreation in the state of New Jersey. As the most densely populated state in the country, it is crucial that we preserve more open space and parks for the benefit and wellbeing of our residents.”

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About the Sierra Club: The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with millions of members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person’s right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information about our work in New Jersey, visit www.sierraclub.org/new-jersey.