Law Enforcement Investigating Fatal Shooting of 4-Year-Old in Brown Mills

PEMBERTON TOWNSHIP (February 8, 2020)– –

Burlington County Prosecutor Scott Coffina and Pemberton Township Police Chief David Jantas announced that a 4-year boy died last night from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.

Emergency medical technicians and officers from the Pemberton Township Police Department were called to the family’s home on Maricopa Trail just after 7 p.m. and discovered Lincoln Mack with a gunshot wound to his cheek. He was transported to Capital Health Emergency Department at Deborah Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at approximately 8 p.m.

The investigation revealed that the boy gained access to an unsecured handgun in the home. The evidence indicates that the shooting was accidental and appeared to be self-inflicted.

“Our hearts are with Lincoln’s family in the wake of this unspeakable tragedy,” Prosecutor Coffina said. “However, an accident like this is entirely preventable. I urge everyone who owns a gun to go – right now – and make sure it is secure and not accessible to any children in their home.”

Lincoln’s parents and two siblings were inside the home at the time of the shooting.

The investigation is ongoing and no charges have been filed as of now.

The incident is being investigated by detectives from the Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office and the Pemberton Township Police Department.

Comcast Contractor Rewiring Gloucester City

Gloucestercitynews.net photo

Contractor Buckley Cable (photos above and below) working on Johnson Blvd., across from the baseball fields

CNBNews Staff

GLOUCESTER CITY, NJ (February 8, 2020)–Buckley Cable, a company subcontracted by Comcast has been working throughout Gloucester City running new cable lines. Gloucester City Police Lt. Steve Burkhardt was asked who pays for the officers that are assigned to direct traffic at these work sites? \”When the contractor needs officers for traffic control, they pay a fee to the city to cover the officer’s pay as well as an additional fee for the use of the city\’s police car. The officers work these details on their days off.

\”

The city ordinance pertaining to compensation for off-duty officers assigned to these jobs states the rate of compensation for the officer per hour for traffic is $85; the rate per-hour for all other is $50; rate of compensation per-hour for schools $50 three hour minimum $150; rate of compensation per-hour for police vehicle use $17.50. A full breakdown of the fees appears below. The ordinance was adopted on May 17, 2018.

published Gloucestercitynews.net

How Can CIOs Drive Positive Culture Changes?

(Gloucestercitynews.net)(February 8, 2020)–As accepted leaders in technology, IT professionals have the best chance to model the preferred behaviors. Creating a stirring narrative also helps employees visualize the impetus for culture change and get on board faster.

image courtesy of unsplash.com

Digital technologies have changed the way that we work and live. Organizations are rushing to stay on top of the latest innovations as well as changing customer expectations. Corporate culture must also evolve. In the past, many companies maintained cultures that emphasized stability, predictability, and consistency, but that doesn\’t reflect the reality of businesses that face disruption from more nimble competitors. Therefore, CIOs must stay on top of new technologies in order to respond to the changing marketplace and exceed customer demands.

Business IT services

business owner Gary Harlam from Technology Advisory Group shares three ways CIOs can expedite culture change in their organizations.

How Can CIOs Reinforce the Desired Culture?

CIOs can invest in technologies that reinforce culture changes. Culture heavily influences the outcome of transformation initiatives when it comes to enterprise technology decisions. The more nimble your organization is, the more open your teams will be to try new things. This can shortcut adaption to change, which leads to market, profitability and productivity improvements.

Culture certainly affects the success of technology adoption, but technology can influence corporate culture too. For instance, collaboration tools are commonplace in small and large organizations.

With cloud-based file-sharing capability, it’s easier than ever to achieve transparency. This gets information out to employees so they can make data-driven decisions.

How Can You Incubate New Culture in IT?

Effective CIOs know that IT is a great testing ground for corporate culture changes. IT professionals live by the motto “test and learn.” Working in IT involves continuous on-the-job training to evaluate the potential of new technologies and apply them to solve real business problems. This adaptability leaves technology teams open to explore culture initiatives.

One financial service CIO put this to the test in his organization, which faced growing pressure from cloud-first start-ups encroaching on the industry. As digitally-native consumers grew, leaders realized they needed to update their operating model to grow their customer base. New technology and flexible products were needed to meet changing expectations.

According to CIO magazine, a cross-functional team aligned to customer outcomes rolled out a new decision-making process that pushed decision-making authority down to the employees completing the work whenever possible.

IT support

teams were the first to use an enterprise collaboration platform that let everyone share ideas, best practices, and data.

How Can You Muster Top-Level Support for Culture Changes?

For many companies, digital initiatives top their enterprise strategy priorities. Therefore, CIOs have access to their counterparts on the executive team, and they have a hand in strategic decision-making. Additionally, the CIO can use their access to the technology to help drive transformations to corporate culture. This is the cross-functional collaboration needed to create lasting organizational change.

C-level support is essential to the adoption of culture change across the enterprise. However, a top-down approach won’t lead to the genuine interest needed to maintain the culture changes. CIOs should reach out to cross-functional stakeholders to encourage change at a basic level that can influence day-to-day operations.

For executives trying to build grass-roots momentum, the IT team is the right place to begin. As accepted leaders in technology,

IT service professionals

have the best chance to model the preferred behaviors. Creating a stirring narrative also helps employees visualize the impetus for culture change and get on board faster.

Major North Philadelphia Drug Dealer Headed to Prison for 30 Years

PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney William M. McSwain announced that Edward Stinson, 30, of Philadelphia, PA was sentenced to 360 months’ imprisonment and five years’ supervised release by United States District Court Judge Paul S. Diamond for leading the Stinson Drug Trafficking Group, which sold crack cocaine in and around the Norman Blumberg Apartment Complex in North Philadelphia from about 2010 through 2015.

In January 2019, the defendant was found guilty at trial of conspiracy to distribute 280 grams or more of cocaine base (“crack”) near a public housing facility, and several related drug charges, including unlawful use of a communication facility in furtherance of a drug felony. Stinson was the leader of the group, and he was assisted in the daily operations of the drug gang by multiple individuals, including his co-defendant at trial, Debra Baylor. They obtained bulk quantities of cocaine from suppliers and arranged for it to be cooked into crack cocaine inside various apartments in Blumberg. The crack cocaine was then distributed on the streets of North Philadelphia, often accompanied by violence that terrorized the neighborhood.

“For at least half a decade, Stinson and the members of his gang controlled the illicit drug market in this neighborhood,” said U.S. Attorney McSwain. “His drug trafficking organization operated 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, tearing at the fabric of the neighborhood at the expense of the families, seniors, and other neighbors living there. Today, justice prevailed and Stinson got what he deserved.”

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Drug Enforcement Administration, and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Josh A. Davison and Joseph T. Labrum, III.

4th-Graders in Pennsylvania Score 4 Points Above National Avg. on Math; NJ 4th-Graders Score 6 Points Above

The Center Square

Fourth-graders in Pennsylvania on average scored 244 on a standardized math test administered last year, which is four points above the 2019

national average calculated by the National Assessment of Educational Progress

(NAEP).

The Pennsylvania students’ average score ranked in a tie for eighth among the 50 states and the District of Columbia.

Among the fourth-graders in Pennsylvania who took the assessment, 81 percent tested at or above the basic achievement level, while 47 percent tested at or above the proficient level, according to the analysis.

In total, fourth-graders in 15 of the jurisdictions had average scores above the national average. Another 20 jurisdictions had average scores that didn’t vary significantly from the U.S. average, according to the study, while 17 posted average scores that were well below the national average.

The NAEP uses the academic results of such tests to improve public education in the U.S. The effort is carried out under the direction of the U.S. Department of Education.

—

4th-Grade Math Scores, State by State

published here by Gloucestercitynews.net with permission of

The Center Square

The Salvation Army Kroc Center in Camden City Hosts Garbage Bag Gala

Fashion Show Supports Women’s and Family Programs at Kroc Center

Camden City, NJ

–

The Salvation Army Ray and Joan Kroc Corps Community Center

in Camden will hold its

Annual Garbage Bag Gala Fashion Show, presented by U.S. Facilities

, on

Friday, May 15

at the renovated

Marian House

in Cherry Hill in support of women’s and family programs at the Kroc Center.

Presented by U.S. Facilities, Inc. and sponsored by New Jersey American Water, this awe-inspiring runway show will showcase fashions created from recycled and unconventional materials, even garbage bags. Over 30 designs from professional, hobbyist and student designers from

Drexel’s Westphal College of Media Arts & Design

will be featured in the annual event, including designs from acclaimed red-carpet designer and Season 18 contestant on Bravo’s “Project Runway,”

Nancy Volpe Beringer

“The Garbage Bag Gala is one-of-a-kind fashion show,” said The Salvation Army’s

Major Susan Wood

. “We’re very excited to showcase the creations of our many talented designers participating in this inspiring show that seems to get exponentially better every year – all in support of The Salvation Army’s goal of transforming the life of every member of our community.”

Attendees of this year’s Garbage Bag Gala are invited to a pre-show reception beginning at 6:30 p.m., featuring delicious food, cocktails and music. The fashion show will then begin promptly at 8 p.m. with Fox 29’s Good Day Philadelphia Co-Anchor

Thomas Drayton

serving as emcee. Cocktail attire is expected, fashion forward is encouraged. For those feeling adventurous, dress in-theme by creating a garment, gown or accessory made from recycled materials. All participants dressed in-theme will be eligible to be named “Trashiest Dressed of the Night.”

Proceeds from the Garbage Bag Gala support women\’s programs at the Kroc Center, many of which benefit single mothers and women who are head-of-household, and their families. Funds raised help make possible programs such as after-school care, fitness and recreation activities, prayer and Bible study groups, nutrition classes and special events like “Operation Cinderella”. The Garbage Bag Gala also helps meet the needs of the community by providing funding for food assistance, Christmas meals and holiday toys for low-income families.

“The Salvation Army is often an unsung hero serving every need – the whole person – through their incredible Kroc Center,” said

Angela Barnshaw

, Chair of the Garbage Bag Gala Planning Committee. “These recycled materials transformed into gorgeous garments offer amazing symbolism for the good work being done by The Salvation Army. It is such an honor to be part of this project. We are working to make it the most fashionable charity event in South Jersey!”

Tickets for the Garbage Bag Gala are $125 each. Sponsorships are available. If you are interested in sponsoring the Garbage Bag Gala, please contact Event Chair, Angela Barnshaw at (856) 261-6765 or

abarnshaw@agent06.com

. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit

http://www.camdenkroccenter.org/garbagegala.html

First Grantees of New $1 Million Camden City Community Grant Program Announced

Conner Strong & Buckelew, American Water,

The Michaels Organization, NFI,

The Cooper Foundation Sponsor Community Building Grants

to 29 Camden City Based Non-Profit Organizations

CAMDEN CITY, NJ – George E. Norcross, III, Chairman of Cooper University Health Care, announced today that 29 Camden City based non-profit community organizations will receive grant awards from the first ever Camden City Community Grant Program. Each grantee will receive a $5,000 grant to fund a significant community building activity within the next 18 months.

Conner Strong & Buckelew, American Water, The Michaels Organization, NFI, and The Cooper Foundation are the founding sponsors of the new $1 million grant program which will award community building grants over the next five years to Camden City based non-profit organizations committed to making Camden a healthier place to live, work, learn and play.

“Camden-based companies investing in Camden-based non-profit organizations reinforces the idea that we must all work together for Camden to continue its renaissance,” said Norcross. “I want to thank our founding sponsors for supporting this program and for valuing the essential services that these Camden community organizations provide to strengthen and enrich the lives of Camden residents.”

The goal of the new grant program is to address social determinants of health by funding applicants that demonstrate a focus on one of the following Community Building Activities: physical improvements and housing, economic development, community support, environmental improvements, leadership development and training for community members, coalition building, community health improvement advocacy or workforce development.

The 29 organizations awarded grants address a wide range of needs that have significant impact on the health and welfare of the community. These grants will support vital programs and services to diversified populations across the city.

“Congratulations to the outstanding grant recipients who are making positive contributions in our community each and every day,” said Susan Bass Levin, President & CEO of The Cooper Foundation. “From summer enrichment programs to initiatives that address food insecurity, job readiness and access to cultural opportunities, we look forward to seeing how the grantees’ programs will enhance the lives of Camden residents.”

“Non-profit organizations rely on grants and donations to fund the important work we do on the front-lines,” said Yaniece Spencer, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Boys of Sustainable Strength (B.O.S.S.) Mentoring, Inc. and one of the grant award recipients. “With this Camden City Community Grant, B.O.S.S. and other organizations, will support new and innovative programs that change lives.”

Below is the complete list of the Camden City Community Grant Program recipients:

COALITION BUILDING

The Heart of CamdenProgram: Next Generation GreenPurpose of Grant: To develop the next generation of green leaders by building a community coalition of youth ambassadors to address a cleaner, greener and healthier neighborhood.

COMMUNITY HEALTH IMPROVEMENT ADVOCACY

Cathedral Soup KitchenProgram: Cathedral Kitchen Meal ProgramPurpose of Grant: To help sustain Cathedral Kitchen meal program which serves more than 3,000 individuals and more than 122,000 meals each year.

Center for Environmental TransformationProgram: Summer Youth ProgramPurpose of Grant: To hire additional teens for the summer program which employs Camden youth who work in the gardens and operate a local farmer’s market.

Joseph’s House of CamdenProgram: Connection HUBPurpose of Grant: To provide supplies to support the day provider program which links homeless guests to critical services such as housing, employment, healthcare, and addiction services.

The Hispanic Family Center of Southern NJ, Inc.Program: Pathways to HealthPurpose of Grant: To fund supplies, workshops and client transportation for bilingual and bicultural residents in need of assistance navigating the complex healthcare and health insurance systems.

COMMUNITY SUPPORT

Boys of Sustainable Strength, Inc. (B.O.S.S.)Program: BOSS UP – Helping City Males SucceedPurpose of Grant: To support a weekly mentoring program where boys ages 8-18 have a safe environment to discuss everyday issues, plan for the future, and promote healthy lifestyles.

Camden Day NurseryProgram: Early Literacy Initiative Purpose of Grant: To create 90 story time boxes containing books, puppets, songs, crafts and games for parents to check-out to increase access to literacy activities.

Camden FireWorksProgram: Capacity Building GrantPurpose of Grant: To improve outreach communication with neighbors and members of the artistic community to bring free and diverse arts experiences to the City of Camden.

Center for Aquatic SciencesProgram: Community & Urban Science Enrichment (CAUSE) ProgramPurpose of Grant: To support a youth development program for Camden teens that provides intensive training in aquatic science, skill and character building, mentoring, paid work experience and college preparation.

Hope Community Outreach ServicesProgram: Youth Summer CampPurpose of Grant: To engage students ages 5-14 in healthy, safe and educational activities throughout the summer.

I Dare to Care Association, Inc. (ID2C)Program: “Selfcare…It Starts With Me” ConferencePurpose of Grant: To fund a one-day conference in Camden for young women ages 7 and up which will include workshops and activities that promote self-awareness, mindfulness and community involvement.

Lanning Square West Residents AssociationProgram: The Gathering Table at Lanning Square WestPurpose of Grant: To provide holistic and cultural programs and activities designed to improve the health of residents in Lanning Square.

Mighty WritersProgram: Mighty Writers CamdenPurpose of Grant: To support free, after school writing workshops focused on mindfulness at four Camden locations.

Morgan Village Circle Community Development CorporationProgram: Morgan Village Arts, Science & Technology ProgramPurpose of Grant: To continue a safe haven program for at-risk children using career readiness classes in areas of STEM, STEAM and SMART.

National Stop the Violence Alliance, Inc.Program: What About YOUth (W.A.Y.) InitiativePurpose of Grant: To expand youth initiative which seeks to improve education skills, attitudes toward law enforcement, conflict resolution and self-esteem.

Nazarene Community Development FoundationProgram: JOY (Just Older Youth)Purpose of Grant: To provide health and wellness resources to seniors by offering opportunities for socialization, creativity and education.

Saint Joseph\’s Carpenter SocietyProgram: Home Maintenance LabPurpose of Grant: To fund an innovative classroom experience which teaches homeowners how to complete routine home maintenance and simple repairs.

South Camden Theatre Company, Inc.Program: Camden Resident Ticketing Program – 2020 Season of CelebrationPurpose of Grant: To promote a ticketing program which offers Camden residents a generous reduction in their general admission ticket price from $25 to $5 per ticket.

Your Education Consultants & ServicesProgram: MEL/MLK After School Safe Haven Enrichment & WorkshopsPurpose of Grant: To provide after-school learning, tutoring, homework assistance, guidance services and mentoring to students in the Gateway section of Parkside.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

The Salvation Army – Camden Kroc CenterProgram: Client Choice Food PantryPurpose of Grant: To enhance the pantry’s emergency food service by providing Cramer Hill and other Camden residents with nutrition education, recipes and other tools to implement a healthier diet.

Volunteers of America Delaware ValleyProgram: Volunteer UP Reentry Legal Aid FundPurpose of Grant: To support an existing civil legal aid fund for incarcerated and formerly incarcerated Camden City jobseekers by removing barriers to successful reentry.

LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT & TRAINING FOR COMMUNITY MEMBERS

Koinonia Family Life, Inc. d.b.a. Camden Dream Center Technology Training SchoolProgram: 2020 Camden Dream CDF Freedom Summer School ProgramPurpose of Grant: To operate a 6-week summer literacy and STEM enrichment program for Camden youth in grades K-8.

Viet Lead Program: Youth ProgrammingPurpose of Grant: To support three youth programs, Jersey Roots, Resilient Roots, and a Community Garden, which teach students how to grow and maintain a garden and prepare healthy meals.

PHYSICAL IMPROVEMENTS AND HOUSING

Boys & Girls Club of Camden CountyProgram: Locker Room Enhancement ProjectPurpose of Grant: To upgrade/repair the gym lockers and benches used by the club members and youth athletes utilizing the club in East Camden.

Cooper-Grant Neighborhood AssociationProgram: Cooper-Grant ArtsGardenPurpose of Grant: To transform a blighted lot in the Cooper Grant neighborhood into an Arts Garden by installing a variety of arts-related infrastructure including an art gallery, performance stage and seating, walkways, flower planters, birdhouses and other items to improve the site.

St. Paul’s Episcopal ChurchProgram: Lavatory Renovation ProjectPurpose of Grant: To upgrade restrooms for participants of weekly food distribution program and the daily Narcotics Anonymous meetings.

WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

Home Port Alliance for the USS New Jersey, Inc.Program: Internship Program for High School Students Purpose of Grant: To add additional interns to existing 16-week internship program.

Hopeworks Program: Recode Your FuturePurpose of Grant: To add additional slots to award-winning training program which places Camden young people in jobs at Camden companies.

Puerto Rican Unity for ProgressProgram: Pathway to SuccessPurpose of Grant: To support a workforce development program for vulnerable individuals by creating individualized plans for participants to gain the skills necessary to obtain sustainable employment.

Atlantic City Electric Customers Continue to Experience Improvements in Energy Service

Continued modernization of the energy grid playing major role in improving service performance

MAYS LANDING, N.J.

(Feb. 6, 2020) – Atlantic City Electric customers across South Jersey are continuing to experience improvements in the reliability of their energy service, a result of Atlantic City Electric’s ongoing efforts to modernize the local energy grid. During the past five years, energy system upgrades and new innovative technologies have driven a 22 percent decrease in the frequency of electric outages customers experienced.

The frequency of outages and the average duration of outages in 2019 remained some of the company’s lowest ever. Last year, customers experienced less than one outage, on average, over the course of the year, and if service was interrupted, crews were able to safely restore service in just 86 minutes, on average, in 2019.

“The unwavering commitment our employees have to providing the best possible service for our customers is key to our repeated success,” said Tyler Anthony, senior vice president & COO, Pepco Holdings, which includes Atlantic City Electric. “Through their hard work, and our integration of advanced technologies and industry best practices, we continue to meet our customers evolving energy needs and be a leader in the delivery of clean, safe and reliable energy.”

Atlantic City Electric received PA Consulting\’s 2019 ReliabilityOne™ Most Improved Utility Award for efforts to modernize the local energy grid and deliver more reliable service for its customers. This is the second consecutive year PA Consulting recognized Atlantic City Electric\’s service reliability, providing the company with its ReliabilityOne™ Outstanding Midsize Utility Award in 2018.

Each day, work is performed as part of the company’s ongoing efforts to further improve reliability for customers. This work includes inspecting existing infrastructure, trimming trees that could potentially impact the system,building new substations, building new underground equipment, strengthening transmission and distribution lines, and installing stronger, tree-resistant aerial cable. The company also is installing innovative technologies to improve system reliability, such as specialized equipment that can automatically restore service more quickly or isolate damage. These new technologies have been a main driver behind the continued drop in the frequency of outages customers experience.

In 2019, Atlantic City Electric completed several key projects to help modernize the energy grid and enhance reliability for customers. These projects included:

Monroe to Tansboro Transmission Line Upgrades

– Upgraded more than 8 miles of existing electric transmission line in portions of Winslow and Monroe townships which included state-of-the-art steel utility poles, among other upgrades, to improve service for more than 83,000 customers in Camden and Gloucester counties.

Orchard to Lewis Substation and Transmission Line Upgrades

– Completed 41 miles of transmission system upgrades and substation enhancements across five counties and 13 municipalities, improving service to more than half of the company’s 560,000 customers from Atlantic to Salem counties.

Rio Grande Substation Rebuild

– Upgraded an existing substation with new electric equipment including three new transformers, animal guarding and other enhancements to benefit thousands of customers in Middle and Lower townships in Cape May County. Orchard to Lewis Substation and Transmission Line Upgrades Orchard to Lewis Substation and Transmission Line Upgrades

In 2020, Atlantic City Electric will perform work on several major projects as part of the company’s ongoing efforts to enhance reliability and modernize the local energy grid, all to provide customers with the reliable energy service they have come to expect. Some of these projects include:

Atlantic City/Brigantine Community Reliability Project

– Modernizing an existing substation and rebuilding two critical transmission lines between Atlantic City and Brigantine to strengthen the local energy infrastructure against more extreme weather and improve reliability for local customers.

PowerAhead Grid Resiliency Initiative

– Continuing to perform strategic reliability enhancement work across portions of the company’s service area to modernize and enhance energy infrastructure in areas that have experienced outages during severe storms.

Atlantic City Electric also continues to share best practices for managing the local energy grid and responding to outages with its Exelon sister companies, BGE in Baltimore, ComEd in Chicago, Delmarva Power in Delaware, PECO in Philadelphia, and Pepco in Washington, D.C

Readers are encouraged to visit

The Source

Atlantic City Electric’s online news room. For more information about Atlantic City Electric, visit

atlanticcityelectric.com

. Follow the company on Facebook at

facebook.com/atlanticcityelectric

and on Twitter at

twitter.com/acelecconnect

Our mobile app is available at

atlanticcityelectric.com/mobileapp

NJ SIERRA CLUB: Philly Refinery Led Nation in Benzene Pollution

TRENTON NJ (February 7, 2020)–The Environmental Integrity Project released a report today which monitored benzene levels at 100 refinery fence lines across the nation. As of the third quarter of 2019 (which ended on September 30, 2019), fence line benzene levels at 10 refineries exceeded the EPA “action level”. Facilities like the

Philadelphia Energy Solutions in Pennsylvania had the highest benzene levels where net concentrations were 49 and 444% greater than EPA Action Level and three times higher than California’s chronic reference exposure level. The refinery filed for bankruptcy and has been closed since July, they are looking to sell.

“The recent report by the Environmental Integrity Project should be an alarm bell going off to the Murphy Administration. The fenceline at the Philadelphia Energy Solutions Facility had benzene levels that are over 5 times the EPA standard. This is the biggest release of benzene in the country and the EPA is not cracking down on mitigating it. Benzene has serious impacts on public health, including respiratory diseases, higher cancer rates, and even premature death. The facility is also right over the Delaware River and prevailing winds could have caused major impacts to South Jersey, including the Camden area. It’s good that the facility shut down but not because the EPA forced it too for polluting our health and environment,”

said Jeff Tittel, Director of the New Jersey Sierra Club.

EPA’s Integrated Risk Information System indicates that inhaling benzene concentrations as low as 13 micrograms per cubic meter over a lifetime is likely to cause one additional cancer case for every 10,000 people exposed. The EPA requirements include if the benzene level at any of the monitoring location exceeds an average of 9 micrograms per cubic meter of air over a one-year period, the EPA regulations require the facility to conduct a root cause analysis to determine the source of the toxic emissions and to then take action to fix the problem and lower the concentrations.

“Oil refineries like the one in South Philly need to be held accountable for emitting toxic chemicals like benzene and other toxic pollutants. Benzene is known as a human carcinogenic and Communities living near the fenceline of these facilities can have long term and chronic exposure to this chemical. Since Trump’s EPA have let these facilities get away with putting our environment and health at risk, it is even more important that states step up,”

said Jeff Tittel, Director of the New Jersey Sierra Club.

In Response to Climate Change, the State DEP Begins Reforms Environmental Requirements

TRENTON – One week after Governor Phil Murphy and Commissioner Catherine R. McCabe announced a comprehensive effort to modernize New Jersey\’s environmental regulations to protect our communities and economy against the threats of climate change, the Department of Environmental Protection is moving forward with a collaborative rule making process, holding several stakeholder events throughout February and March, to make the New Jersey Protecting Against Climate Threats (NJ PACT) reforms a reality.

The DEP has scheduled a series of stakeholder sessions to gather input from residents, businesses and advocates on the development of new greenhouse gas reduction and environmental land use regulations aimed at reducing the impact of climate change and adapting to the realities of certain impacts, like sea-level rise.

\”New Jersey is extremely vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, from sea-level rise that threatens our coastline to air pollution that harms our most vulnerable communities,\” said Governor Murphy. \”We are moving swiftly to enact the regulations outlined in NJ PACT to reduce fossil fuel emissions and ensure investments in our innovation economy and communities. These policies, which will make New Jersey a global leader in the clean energy transition and fight against climate change, will help propel New Jersey to 100 percent clean energy by 2050.\”

\”In New Jersey, we take seriously the science of climate change. We are heeding the warnings about risks like sea-level rise and acting with the urgency that these threats demand,\” said Commissioner McCabe. \”As we work to modernize our environmental regulations to reflect the best available science, DEP is committed to a thoughtful and collaborative approach that engages stakeholders from across all sectors of our economy, non-governmental organizations, academia, and local government. We are all in this together.\”

On Jan. 27, Governor Murphy signed Executive Order 100, directing the DEP to make targeted regulatory reforms to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to climate change through the NJ PACT initiative. New Jersey is the first state to embark on a such an ambitious framework of measures targeted to both reduce emissions of climate pollutants and reform environmental land use policy to adapt to climate realities and ensure long-term resilience.

With Governor Murphy\’s leadership, New Jersey has been implementing a number of initiatives to both mitigate against future climate change and adapt to its certain effects, including releasing a clean-energy focused Energy Master Plan and ordering the development of a Statewide Climate Resilience Strategy, making New Jersey a national leader in the fight against climate change.

NJ PACT is the next evolution of these efforts, modernizing air quality regulations that will limit emissions of climate pollutants that exacerbate global warming, as well as environmental land use regulations that equip DEP, local governments, residents and businesses with tools to effectively respond to current climate threats. They are also forward looking, seeking to reduce future climate damages through rules for green infrastructure and resilient building that will help New Jersey fight risks like sea-level rise and extreme weather.

Soliciting feedback from the public and stakeholders for proposed environmental regulations is the first step in the rulemaking process that will conclude by January 2022. In advance of that date, DEP will consider all input it receives during its public stakeholder process as it formulates rule proposals. Once proposals are finalized, they will be published in the New Jersey Register for public comment and, after careful consideration of any comments received, finalized for adoption.

The DEP will hold initial stakeholder sessions on the following potential rules:

* Friday, Feb. 21 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., focusing on periodic monitoring and reporting of statewide greenhouse gas emissions, hosted by the DEP Air Quality, Energy and Sustainability program.

* Tuesday, Feb. 25 from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., focusing on ways to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, hosted by the DEP Air Quality, Energy and Sustainability program.

* Wednesday, March 2 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., to discuss rules to better plan for sea-level rise, extreme weather events and flooding, hosted by the Land Use Management program.

All sessions for both programs are open to public comment. They will be held at the DEP\’s First Floor Public Hearing Room, 401 East State Street, Trenton 08625.

Due to space limitations, the DEP is requesting attendees to RSVP. For more information, including session details, RSVP deadlines and contacts, visit

https://www.nj.gov/dep/njpact/