New Jersey apparently is headed for the first gasoline tax increase since 1988 to finance bridge and road repairs. On Sept. 27, Gov. Christie indicated a willingness to increase the gasoline tax provided there were corresponding reductions in other taxes — such as the estate tax and inheritance taxes. Christie also mentioned making state income tax…

Newswise — Solar energy pricing is at an all-time low, according to a new report released by Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab). Driven by lower installed costs, improved project performance, and a race to build projects ahead of a reduction in a key federal incentive, utility-scale solar project developers have been negotiating power sales agreements with utilities at prices averaging just 5¢/kWh. These prices reflect receipt of the 30% federal investment tax credit, which is scheduled to decline to 10% after 2016, and would be higher if not for that incentive. By comparison, average wholesale electricity prices across the United States ranged from 3 to 6 cents/kWh in 2014, depending on the region.

Out of an abundance of caution, the State Park Service will keep the 4,200-acre state forest bordering Passaic and Bergen counties closed until further notice due to continued bear activity in areas where hikers have reported being pursued by potentially aggressive bears in recent weeks.

Biologists with the Department of Environmental Protection\’s Division of Fish and Wildlife have euthanized a total of four adult bears in areas where these incidents have occurred. The bears had shown no signs of being fearful of people, suggesting that they had become habituated to people, possibly due to illegal feeding either by visitors or by property owners near the park, said Division of Fish and Wildlife Director David Chanda.

DOVER DELAWARE(Oct. 14, 2015) – Surf-fishing enthusiasts and license plate collectors who don’t want to be telling tales about \”the little one that got away\” – with \”the little one\” a newly-minted, low-digit Delaware surf-fishing tag to be sold at auction by DNREC’s Division of Parks & Recreation – will be casting their bids when the first online auction for the low-numbered plates begins Thursday, Oct. 15, followed by a live tag auction set for Saturday, Oct. 31 at Delaware Seashore State Park.

DOVER DELAWARE(Oct. 14, 2015) – To promote and provide additional hunting opportunities, DNREC’s Division of Fish & Wildlife has designated Saturday, Oct. 17 as the first of two waterfowl hunting days for youth hunters ages 10 through 15 on both public and private lands statewide. 

 Youth hunters must be accompanied by a licensed or exempt adult hunter age 21 or older, and must be of sufficient physical size and strength to safely handle a firearm. Youth hunters may also hunt during the regular seasons for all game and must be accompanied by an adult. Youth hunters age 13 through 15 must have completed a hunter education course, possess a hunter education certification card and purchase a Delaware junior hunting license.