N.J. at risk of chemical disaster, coalition warns
A coalition of labor, environmental, and community organizations claims New Jersey is still at risk from toxic chemical disasters. See Article Here
NJ Work Environment Council says chemical risks still abundant throughout the state
The New Jersey Work Environment Council released a new study of how the state's industries are faring when it comes to reducing the risk of environmental disaster, and they called for more action from Trenton in encouraging businesses to adopt safer practices. See Article Here
Urban Schools in Dire Need of Repairs, 43 Groups Tell Christie
A coalition of 43 religious, minority, parent and union groups is urging Gov. Chris Christie to speed up school repairs in the state's poorest cities, where they say dozens of public schools have fallen into disrepair. Hundreds of projects in Newark, Irvington, Trenton and other cities have been frozen for years and Christie should fast-track them this summer before children return to school, the groups wrote in a letter to the Republican governor this week. See Article Here View the Letter to Governor Christie
Safety at Refinery Called into Question
Teamsters Local 877 President Doc Doherty explains why he's concerned about the safety of Phillips 66 workers and the community living around the plant. (Teamsters Local 877 is a member of WEC.) See Article Here
Toxic Train Wreck Exposes Weakness in Federal Chemical Policy
In late November, while other parts of New Jersey were recovering from the superstorm, the quiet town of Paulsboro was blindsided by a very unnatural disaster. A train derailed while crossing a local bridge, sending freight cars tumbling into the water below and releasing a toxic swirl of the flammable gas known as vinyl chloride, used to make PVC plastics. In the following days, chaos ensued as residents hurriedly evacuated. See Article Here
State begins taking applications to waive environmental rules, angering activists
The rule is hailed by businesses who say they are buried in environmental red tape. Environmentalists, however, are livid over the potential to undermine protections to New Jersey's land, water and air. See Article Here
Who’s the Boss? Tug of War in Legislature betweeen Executive and Legislative Powers
Democratic lawmakers took another shot at the Republican Christie administration Thursday over the extent and limit of the powers exercised by the two branches. See Article Here
Environmentalists argue against ‘waiver rule’ in N.J.
Advocacy groups in New Jersey are urging the Christie administration to drop a proposed rule they say would be one of the most dramatic rollbacks of environmental regulations in 30 years. See Article Here
Environmentalists urge N.J. to drop proposed ‘waiver’ allowing businesses to bypass regulations
Environmental advocates today painted a bleak picture of what would happen to New Jersey's natural resources if the state moves ahead with a plan that would allow businesses, towns and people to bypass environmental regulations. See Article Here
Environmental Regulatory Shift in N.J. Draws Praise and Concern
Home to a densely packed population and heavy industry, New Jersey has been a longtime leader in adopting strong regulatory standards to protect residents against pollution of their soil, air, and water. That's why environmental advocates sounded alarms when they learned that a bill scheduled for a vote in the Assembly last week would ban state agencies from adopting rules stricter than federal ones without coming to the Legislature for approval. See Article Here