Governor Murphy Leads State Response Addressing Poor Air Quality in New Jersey
Governor Phil Murphy led the State's response addressing below average air quality affecting New Jersey and its surrounding areas. The air quality situation, occurring as a result of smoke migrating from wildfires in Canada, is being closely monitored by the Governor’s Team in coordination with New Jersey State agencies.
The Governor held a press briefing this week detailing the State’s response to the air quality situation. Governor Murphy was joined by Commissioner of Health Judy Persichilli, Education Commissioner Angelica Allen-McMillan, Deputy Superintendent of the State Police Lieutenant Colonel Sean Kilcomons, and Acting Commissioner of the Department of Environmental Protection Kati Angarone, as well as Assistant Commissioner Paul Baldauf of the Department of Environmental Protection.
“Amidst an unprecedented situation, our priority remains to secure the health and safety of the State’s residents. We are urging New Jerseyans to stay inside, limit strenuous activities, and, if going outdoors is necessary, use an N95 mask, especially if you are a member of a high-risk group” said Governor Murphy. “Poor air quality affects everyone, so it is essential that precautions are taken to limit the effects of this smoke.”
The Governor continues to urge New Jerseyans to maintain personal safety and continue monitoring air quality across the state. To get the latest updates on air quality in your area as well as fire and smoke mapping, go to airnow.gov.
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Governor Murphy, U.S. Senator Bob Menendez, Congressman Frank Pallone, and Senator Vin Gopal Mark Start of Two Rivers Water Reclamation Authority Project
Governor Phil Murphy, U.S. Senator Bob Menendez, Congressman Frank Pallone, and Senator Vin Gopal highlighted the commencement of the Two Rivers Water Reclamation Authority (TRWRA) sewer/pump station project, to which the Murphy Administration will commit $20 million in federal grant funding. The two-part project in Monmouth County will replace more than 3,000 feet of sewer line and will replace and relocate a critical main pump station. Together, these measures will bolster the resilience of crucial wastewater and stormwater infrastructure while safeguarding the station and surrounding communities from future storms.
TRWRA’s water treatment and collection systems serve 90,000 people in six member towns (Fair Haven, Little Silver, Monmouth Beach, Oceanport, Shrewsbury, and West Long Branch), six customer towns (Eatontown, Red Bank, Rumson, Sea Bright, Shrewsbury Township, and Tinton Falls), and two military bases. Its facilities include 200 miles of sanitary sewer mains, 18 pump stations, and nine meter chambers.
“Thanks in no small part to the tireless work of FEMA and our congressional delegation, this project will help protect tens of thousands of New Jerseyans from future storms and flooding,” said Governor Murphy. “Crucially, by committing federal dollars toward the overhaul of this critical infrastructure, the State will realize a considerable return on its investment of FEMA resilience funding without imposing additional taxpayer burdens. It’s smart, forward-looking investments like these that will better prepare and protect our local communities and economies against the worsening impacts of climate change.”
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Governor Murphy Announces Filing of Landmark Inland Flood Protection Rule
Governor Phil Murphy announced the Administration’s upcoming adoption of the landmark Inland Flood Protection Rule to better protect New Jersey’s communities from worsening riverine flooding and stormwater runoff. The rulemaking has been filed with the Office of Administrative Law and will become effective upon publication in the New Jersey Register next month. A courtesy copy of the rule and additional information are available here.
The Inland Flood Protection Rule updates New Jersey’s existing flood hazard and stormwater regulations by replacing outdated precipitation estimates with modern data that account for observed and projected increases in rainfall. These changes will help reduce flooding from stormwater runoff and increase the resiliency of new developments located in flood-prone inland areas. Upon adoption, New Jersey will become the first state to use predictive precipitation modeling to implement rules to inform and protect future development and redevelopment from the impacts of climate change.
“The Inland Flood Protection Rule will serve as a critical component of my Administration’s comprehensive strategy to bolster our state’s resilience amid the worsening impacts of climate change,” said Governor Murphy. “As a national model for climate adaptation and mitigation, we can no longer afford to depend on 20th-century data to meet 21st-century challenges. This rule’s formation and upcoming adoption testify to our commitment to rely on the most up-to-date science and robust stakeholder engagement to inform our most crucial policy decisions.”
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Governor Murphy Signs Bill Establishing the New Jersey-Ireland Trade Commission
Governor Phil Murphy, joined by Assemblywoman Carol Murphy, New Jersey Economic Development Authority CEO Tim Sullivan, and Ireland Senator Mark Daly, signed A4055, which establishes the New Jersey-Ireland Trade Commission. The New Jersey-Ireland Trade Commission will advance the mutual interests of New Jersey and Ireland, including bilateral trade and investment opportunities, joint policy action, business and academic exchanges, economic support, and mutual investment in the infrastructures of the two regions.
“As a Murphy, it is an honor to bring New Jersey and my native Ireland together for a strategic partnership that will benefit our two regions for generations to come,” said Governor Murphy. “Tammy and I have had the pleasure of leading an economic mission to Ireland to meet with leaders across the country in different sectors and industries, and to truly understand what the country has to offer. I am pleased to put pen to paper to mark the start of an official partnership between our two regions and look forward to witnessing what we can accomplish together.”
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New Jersey Places in Top 5 for Student Participation in Nationwide Cyber Competition
New Jersey recently finished in the top five states in the nation for the total number of high school students registered during this year’s CyberStart America competition, according to the New Jersey Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Cell
CyberStart America is a months-long, immersive cybersecurity competition intended to introduce students to the various facets of a career in cybersecurity, including codebreaking, programming, networking, digital forensics, and more.
Over 2,800 New Jersey students, representing 231 high schools, took part in the 2022-2023 National Cyber Scholarship Foundation and SANS Institute tournament, with 247 placing as finalists and receiving cybersecurity scholarships totaling nearly $1,000,000.
NJCCIC, a division within the New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness, leads the coordination of the CyberStart America tournament within the state.
“CyberStart America is an excellent opportunity for students to explore an interest in cybersecurity careers and highlights the immeasurable talent we have in New Jersey,” said NJOHSP Director Laurie Doran. “Today the demand for cybersecurity is greater than ever and providing students with advanced technical training in the classroom, as well as opportunities to develop skills through competitions such as this, is key to meeting that demand in the future. Congratulations to all our students who participated in this year’s event and to NJCCIC for its ongoing efforts to promote the program.”
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Official Site of The State of New Jersey
