DeAngelo Energy Reliability Bills Clear Assembly Telecommunications and Utilities Committee

Legislation sponsored by Assemblyman Wayne P. DeAngelo that would establish a pathway for advanced nuclear energy development in New Jersey cleared the Assembly Telecommunications and Utilities Committee today. Bill A4881, known as the “Powering Opportunity, Workforce, and Energy Reliability for New Jersey Act,” seeks to strengthen energy reliability, support workforce opportunities, and help meet the state’s future energy needs.
The “Power NJ Act” would direct the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (BPU), in collaboration with the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (EDA), to establish a program for procuring advanced nuclear energy facilities in the state. The legislation would create a process for evaluating and approving projects that can help address growing energy demands while ensuring benefits for ratepayers and maintaining system reliability.
“As New Jersey strives to meet growing energy demands, we need to be proactive in pursuing reliable and forward-looking solutions,” said Assemblyman DeAngelo (D-Mercer, Middlesex). “Advanced nuclear technology has the potential to strengthen our energy infrastructure, support good-paying jobs, and provide a stable source of power that can meet future needs. This bill is about building a strong energy future while making sure we are creating opportunities and protecting ratepayers.”
Under the bill, interested entities would submit proposals for advanced nuclear projects through a process overseen by the BPU. Projects would be evaluated based on their ability to improve reliability and resilience, contribute to capacity needs, and provide value for ratepayers. The legislation would also lay the groundwork for the establishment of a Reliability Capacity Certificate program. The program would be designed to support approved projects while allowing certain revenues generated by facilities to be returned to New Jersey consumers.
In addition to A4881, the committee also advanced two other bills sponsored by Assemblyman DeAngelo focused on strengthening the state’s energy infrastructure. Bill A4882, the “New Jersey Natural Gas Modernization Act,” would establish expedited permitting pathways for certain qualifying energy projects to support system reliability and infrastructure upgrades. Bill A1072 would direct the BPU to establish a distributed energy storage incentive program.

Sierra Club Joins Gov. Sherrill to Hold Data Centers Accountable in NJ

Today, Governor Mikie Sherrill announced her four-pronged plan to address the growing impact of data centers on the environment and communities, increase transparency, and hold them accountable. New Jersey Sierra Club Director, Anjuli Ramos-Busot, joined Senator Burzichelli, Assemblyman Bailey, IBEW and Mayor Stanzilis during this announcement.

This four-pillar approach to establish strong guardrails for data centers includes:

Establishing fair-share rules so data centers bring their own clean energy and contribute investments to the grid we share to help lower costs.
Enacting measures to improve transparency, starting with requirements to report the purpose of the data center and their energy and water use.
Directing the development of strong statewide standards and guidelines for Community Benefits Agreements to ensure these facilities address impacts like noise, light, heat and pollution while delivering lasting local investments.
Securing commitments around labor to create good-paying construction jobs and support prevailing wages and local trades.

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Van Drew Announces Grant for Atlantic City Airport

Congressman Van Drew announced that the Atlantic City International Airport (ACY) will receive $8,777,683 in federal funding through the Federal Aviation Administration’s Airport Infrastructure Grant program. The funding will support the construction of the new 3,800-foot Taxiway R to help strengthen airport operations.
“Atlantic City International Airport is one of the most important economic engines in South Jersey, and this investment is going to help ensure it continues growing and competing for years to come,” said Congressman Van Drew. “At the same time, my office has been in ongoing conversations with airlines to expand air service in South Jersey that will fully replace Spirit. I think people are going to be excited about what is ahead, and there will be more announcements coming soon. ACY has a strong future, and we are only going to keep building on this momentum.”
“On behalf of the entire South Jersey Transportation Authority, we thank Congressman Van Drew for securing this critical $8.7 million investment for the Atlantic City International Airport,” said Stephen F. Dougherty, SJTA Executive Director. “This funding moves Phase 3 of our Taxiway R improvement project forward and represents a major step toward bringing the airport into conformity with current aviation standards. The construction of more than 2,700 feet of grading and drainage infrastructure is essential groundwork for the future 3,800-foot taxiway and will enhance operational safety, efficiency, and long-term growth opportunities for the airport. We are grateful for Congressman Van Drew’s continued support of transportation infrastructure and economic development in South Jersey.”

Return Your Vote By Mail Ballot Today

Don’t Wait! Return it Today and Make Your Voice Heard!

If you’ve already received your Vote By Mail ballot, now is the perfect time to return it and check voting off your to-do list. Camden County makes the process quick and convenient with 29 secure, monitored drop box locations available throughout the county. No lines, no hassle. Once your ballot is submitted, you will receive confirmation via mail. Make your plan, return your ballot, and be part of the process. To learn more, Click Here.

Get Connected with Your Government

At Town Halls, Public Meetings, Our App, or Social Media

Camden County provides several ways for residents to stay informed and connected with local government, including this weekly newsletter, social media, and live meetings. Camden County Board of Commissioners and Congressman Donald Norcross will be hosting Town Hall Meetings monthly, creating another level of access and opportunity. The next Town Hall Meeting will be announced soon. If you have any questions, or need assistance, please submit them and we will forward them to the appropriate level of government. Click Here to submit questions.

The Camden County Board of Commissioners holds public Monthly Meetings at 520 Market St, 6th Floor, in Camden. The next Caucus Meeting will be held on Tuesday, June 16th, and the Monthly Commissioner Meeting on Thursday, June 18th. These meetings are held to help the community stay up-to-date on county proceedings. Click Here to watch meetings online.

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Sherrill, Jain Announce NJDOT’s First Design-Build Contract Award

Governor Mikie Sherrill and New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) Commissioner Priya Jain today announced Agate Construction Company, Inc. and A. Servidone, Inc./B. Anthony Construction Corp. JV have been awarded a $47.7 million contract for the Department’s first Design-Build project, the Route 50 Bridge over Cedar Swamp Creek replacement project, located in Upper Township, Cape May County.

“When I took office, I made clear that we were going to do things differently and deliver for the people of New Jersey. That means taking more efficient, innovative approaches to modernizing our aging infrastructure. The Route 50 Bridge project reflects that, by replacing this critical connection to Cape May County and key coastal evacuation route through New Jersey’s first-ever Design-Build approach. By combining design and construction into one streamlined process, we’re cutting delays, lowering costs, and delivering this long-overdue upgrade faster for New Jerseyans.”

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NJ Right to Life PAC Endorses Rosie Pino for Congress

New Jersey Right to Life PAC (NJRTL-PAC), the state’s premier pro-life advocacy organization, officially announced its endorsement of four-term local elected official, Rosie Pino, for Congress in New Jersey’s 9th Congressional District.

The high-profile endorsement draws a razor-sharp contrast in the Republican Primary, solidifying Pino as the only true conservative leader in the race who explicitly and unapologetically stands for protecting life.

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Reynolds-Jackson Applauds Advancement of the John R. Lewis Voter Empowerment Act

Assemblywoman Verlina Reynolds-Jackson issued the following statement after testifying before the Senate Judiciary Committee today in support of the John R. Lewis Voter Empowerment Act of New Jersey. The Assemblywoman is the prime sponsor of the Act (Bill A1715) in the Assembly. The General Assembly passed the legislation earlier this year.

“The advancement of the John R. Lewis Voter Empowerment Act in the Senate Judiciary Committee marks another important step toward strengthening and protecting one of our most fundamental rights, the right to vote. At a time when we are seeing growing efforts across the country to create barriers to participation and raise questions about who should have access to the ballot box, New Jersey is continuing to move in the opposite direction by making clear that every eligible voter deserves a fair opportunity to participate in our democracy.

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Assembly Democrats Advance Bill Targeting “Revenge Porn” on Social Media Sites

With nonconsensual, intimate, and explicit images and videos proliferating online, the General Assembly passed legislation yesterday that would require social media companies to take steps to remove this content from their platforms. Bill A3064 is sponsored by Assemblyman Chris Tully and Assemblywoman Shanique Speight.
There’s been a significant rise in non-consensual intimate image (NCII) distribution, also known as “revenge porn.” Victims of NCII suffer emotional, psychological and reputational harm. To make matters worse, they often face difficulties in getting these images removed from social media platforms.
“In a matter of minutes exploitative content can spread across platforms and leave victims to deal with the kind of lasting emotional and personal consequences that can last a lifetime,” said Assemblyman Tully (D-Bergen). “As technology continues to evolve, particularly with the rise of AI-generated media, we have a responsibility to make sure the protections in place evolve alongside it, and part of that responsibility is making sure there exists an effective pathway for getting harmful content removed quickly.”
The bill would define intimate images and videos and would require social media companies to establish and implement procedures to assist nonprofit organizations in monitoring, flagging, and removing nonconsensual intimate images from social media platforms.
“For victims, especially young people, the emotional toll of having what feels like your dignity taken away can be devastating and it is our responsibility to make sure they are not powerless in these moments,” said Assemblywoman Speight (D-Essex, Hudson). “If we want people to be able to regain a sense of control, we need to make sure harmful content does not continue circulating unchecked in the first place, and this bill is an important step toward making that happen.”

Katz, Venezia, Sweeney Bills to Protecting New Jersey Children Clears Assembly

With children’s mental and physical health top of mind, the New Jersey General Assembly advanced legislation designed to improve access to crisis support services and address harmful social media practices that can contribute to eating disorders among young users. Bills A2733 and A2739 respond to growing concerns about the mental health challenges facing children and the impact digital platforms can have on young people’s self-image and emotional health. Assemblywoman Andrea Katz and Assemblyman Michael Venezia sponsored both bills.