Join Phil Brilliant, CHMM, LSRP as he discusses what will be on the legislative agenda for 2024 in NJ with Anthony Russo, President of CIANJ. The two will touch upon the LSRP program, as well as what to expect in the A901 Rules, Climate Change initiatives and so much more including a discussion of the 2024 Presidential Election and looking at the 2025 Governor Election in NJ.
Topic:
Environmental law and policy in New Jersey have seldom remained in a static condition. Rather, they have continued to evolve due to judicial, executive, and legislative decisions. 2023 was full of significant developments. So what is on the Agenda for 2024? Join us on January 10, 2024 at 8AM to hear one of those “in the room” in Trenton, Anthony Russo, President of CIANJ.
CPES Free Hot Topic “The 2024 Environmental Legislative Forecast” with Anthony Russo; President of CIANJ and CEO of Commerce Magazine. Listen to Tony and other participants talk about what to expect in Trenton this year.
Trenton in 2024: What New Jersey’s Changing Political Map Means for Environmental Practice
“Expect the unexpected.”
That was the headline advice from Tony Russo, President of the Commerce & Industry Association of New Jersey (CIANJ), when he joined CPES co-founder Phil Brilliant, CHMM, LSRP for our annual “Legislative Forecast” Hot-Topic webinar. With 37 brand-new faces sworn in to the 221st Legislature, a governor doubling-down on his 100 % clean-energy agenda, and a raft of rulemakings queued up at NJDEP, 2024 promises to keep environmental professionals busy—and nimble.
Below is the key intelligence you need as projects, permits and compliance strategies are recalibrated for the year ahead.
1. A Re-shuffled Legislature
- 30 % turnover: 37 of 120 seats changed hands on January 9. That means rapid on-boarding for new members—and an opening for practitioners to educate them on site-remediation realities.
- Senate Environment shake-up: Long-time chair Sen. Bob Smith and vice-chair Sen. Linda Greenstein remain, but three of five committee seats are now vacant after departures by Sen. Cody (D) and two Republicans. Expect fresh perspectives—and a learning curve.
- Assembly Environment merged & expanded: Speaker Coughlin folded Natural Resources into Environment under Chair Asm. Jim Kennedy, signaling busier agendas.
2. Governor Murphy’s 2024 Wish-List
- 100 % renewable electricity by 2035—despite offshore-wind setbacks.
- Aggressive EV roll-out: Advanced Clean Cars II, building-electrification discussions and more charging-station incentives on deck.
- Same-day voter registration & affordable-housing push: Non-environmental issues that could absorb legislative bandwidth and shape election dynamics.
3. Regulatory Hot Spots to Watch
| Topic | What Happened | Why It Matters in 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Ground Water Quality Standards | Proposal dropped Jan 2; several constituents lowered by an order of magnitude. | Comment period closes March 4; remedial action permits & biennial certs will need re-checks. |
| Stormwater & Flood-Hazard Rules | New design criteria effective 2023. | Developers report costly but manageable redesigns; consultants must build the new regs into schedules. |
| PFAS / “Forever Chemicals” | Fire-fighting-foam ban signed; multiple investigative bills carried into new session. | Expect more product-phase-outs, monitoring and natural-resource-damage claims. |
| A-901 “Dirty Dirt” Expansion | Soil brokers, landscapers and consultants still awaiting final NJDEP rule. | Final rule is expected this winter/spring—30-day clock for license applications will start immediately. |
| Independent Professional Judgment (IPJ) Pilot | NJDEP hinting at new certification to cut remedial-action permit backlog. | Could shift more risk (and responsibility) to LSRPs—details pending. |
| Environmental Justice Permitting | Regulations in force; first major air-permit renewals underway. | Early case studies will set the precedent for timelines and public-participation expectations. |
4. Elections Already Casting a Shadow
- 2024 U.S. Senate race: The outcome of Sen. Menendez’s seat (with First Lady Tammy Murphy and Rep. Andy Kim already declared) will define party momentum going into…
- 2025 Gubernatorial primary: Names floated include Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop, former Senate President Steve Sweeney, Reps. Mikie Sherrill & Josh Gottheimer, plus 2021 GOP nominee Jack Ciattarelli. Transition churn inside NJDEP and other agencies typically accelerates as administrations wind down.
5. What Businesses Are Asking For
- Science-driven standards for microplastics, PFAS alternatives and emerging contaminants.
- Practical green-remediation guidance that balances carbon goals with clean-up obligations.
- Predictable timelines—especially for remedial-action permits and EJ reviews.
- Clarity on the “Broker” definition in the forthcoming soil-hauler rules.
CPES Is Your Legislative Radar
The policy sand keeps shifting—CPES keeps you standing on solid ground.
- Jan 24 (virtual) – A candid conversation with NJDEP Commissioner Shawn LaTourette
- April (in-person) – Green & Sustainable Remediation Symposium
- On-demand Hot-Topics – PFAS, TI, flood-hazard rules, A-901, EJ permitting and more