Now Law: Pinkin, Zwicker, Lopez & McKeon Bill to Strengthen Environmental Cleanup Procedures

Measure Amends Laws Governing Remediation of Contaminated Sites

(TRENTON) – Aiming to expand New Jersey’s capacity to conduct environmental remediation, whereby contaminants and hazardous waste are removed from water and soil, Assembly Democrats Nancy Pinkin, Andrew Zwicker, Yvonne Lopez and John McKeon sponsored legislation which the Governor signed into law on Friday.

            The law (previously A5293) expands on functions of the Site Remediation Reform Act of 2009 and its Licensed Site Remediation Professional (LSRP) program adding prerequisites for licensure to strengthen protections of public health and safety, and the environment.

Sponsors of the law released the following statements:

Assemblywoman Nancy Pinkin (D-Middlesex): “This legislation, which has been years in the making, enables New Jersey to continue its leadership in redeveloping brownfields. It advances our focus on the revitalization of municipalities, as they too seek to implement Smart Growth principles, thereby improving the environment and our health while also contributing to economic growth.”

Assemblyman Andrew Zwicker (D-Somerset, Mercer, Middlesex, Hunterdon):  “Revitalization of contaminated sites is not just important for public health and safety, but serves the goal of greater economic opportunity. The extent to which we’re able to remediate and remove pollutants from land is a huge determinant in the efficient and productive transformation of underutilized properties. Strengthening standards for hazardous waste removal, in this case, becomes conducive to boosting local economic development.”

Assemblywoman Yvonne Lopez (D-Middlesex): “Climate action is about the small things, just as much as it is about the big things. That’s especially true when it comes to land contamination. To New Jersey’s credit, under the Site Remediation Reform Act of 2009, over 38,000 cases of site contamination were closed during the 2009 to 2018 period. Strengthening existing law, we’ll be able to build upon the capacity of current practices and increase the success of environmental cleanup programs.”

Assemblyman John McKeon (D-Essex, Morris): “As infrastructure ages, new technology is allowing us to find more and more ways of detecting contaminants and assessing their potential threats. Allowing our cleanup strategies and initiatives to evolve as our understanding of environmental impact grows is vital. Under the expansions, now law, we’re positioning the industry to employ greener strategies and setting high professional standards for LSRPs to remain accountable.”