Governor Murphy Directs New Jersey Board of Public Utilities to Accelerate New Offshore Wind Solicitation
Governor Phil Murphy directed the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU) to launch New Jersey’s fourth offshore wind solicitation in early 2024. The Governor’s action reaffirms the State’s commitment to achieving a 100% clean energy economy by 2035 and underscores the strength and promise of New Jersey’s clean energy economy, including the critical importance of the state’s supply chain facilities to the regional offshore wind industry.
“I have directed the BPU to take this action in recognition of the strong future of New Jersey’s offshore wind industry,” said Governor Murphy. “New Jersey can – and will – continue to remain a burgeoning offshore wind development hub that attracts new projects and their accompanying economic and environmental benefits for generations to come. These new projects, along with the Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind project awarded in 2021, will support tens of thousands of good-paying, family-sustaining jobs for New Jerseyans while protecting the quality of the air our children breathe and making good on the promise of affordable clean energy produced right here in the Garden State.”
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Murphy Administration Advances Greenway Development Plans
A nine-mile former rail line through parts of Hudson and Essex counties is one step closer to becoming a new state park, Commissioner of Environmental Protection Shawn M. LaTourette announced. Following an extensive months-long public engagement process, the Murphy Administration is sharing the initial development and construction plans for the Greenway. The first phase of the multimillion-dollar project will be focused on a nearly two-mile span through Newark, Essex County, and Kearny, Hudson County.
As part of a phased development approach for the Greenway, the Newark-Kearny segment will directly serve the 350,000 residents of the two municipalities, and more in the surrounding area. The project is a catalyst for environmental improvements and economic development, expanding access to green, open space, increasing transportation and recreation opportunities, and improving stormwater management and air quality. The DEP expects to break ground in early 2024, with the first segment anticipated to open to the public in late 2025.
“Connecting communities in one of the most densely populated regions in the nation, the Greenway will serve as nothing short of a game-changer for cities across Essex and Hudson Counties,” said Governor Phil Murphy. “Upon completion, this monumental project will increase recreation, transportation, and economic development opportunities for hundreds of thousands of New Jersey residents and visitors. Just as importantly, it will considerably expand access to green, open space – and its associated environmental and public health benefits – for environmental justice communities across North Jersey.”
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Statement From Governor Murphy on Preliminary Recommendations by the Traffic Mobility Review Board Regarding Congestion Pricing Trolling Scheme
“Tonight’s leaked report demonstrates the rushed and opaque process that the MTA and the Traffic Mobility Review Board have pursued to impose an unfair and ill-conceived congestion pricing tolling scheme on New Jersey commuters.
“Despite our interconnected and interdependent regional economy and transportation system, New York officials did not meaningfully consult with us from the outset and instead treated New Jerseyans as a convenient way to fill an MTA budget hole.
“As a conceptual matter, I support congestion pricing, as long as it is structured in a way that is fair to all sides. This plan is neither fair nor equitable.
“The Traffic Mobility Review Board’s recommended credit structure is wholly inadequate, especially the total lack of toll credits for the George Washington Bridge, which will lead to toll shopping, increased congestion in underserved communities, and excessive tolling at New Jersey crossings into Manhattan.
“Everyone in the region deserves access to more reliable mass transit, but placing an unjustified financial burden on New Jersey commuters is wrong. We are left with no choice than to continue addressing our concerns through litigation.”
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New Jersey Higher Education Assistance Authority Highlights Two Initiatives Supporting Murphy Administration's Comprehensive Efforts to Address Educator Shortage, Grow K-12 Workforce
The Higher Education Student Assistance Authority (HESAA) highlighted two key initiatives to help attract and retain teachers as part of the Murphy Administration’s broader efforts to address the national K-12 educator shortage in New Jersey. In addition to raising awareness of the recent launch of the application period for the New Jersey Teacher Loan Redemption Program, HESAA Executive Director David Socolow met with key stakeholders at Stockton University to discuss the vital support for New Jersey’s education workforce from both the loan redemption program and the new Student-Teacher Stipend Pilot Program.
“With one of the top education systems in our nation, New Jersey is looking to grow and strengthen our educational workforce,” said Governor Phil Murphy. “Teachers are the lifeblood of our school systems, helping to prepare the future leaders of our state, country, and the world. It is of critical importance that we create competitive initiatives that attract and retain top educator talent by ensuring financial barriers don’t keep great teachers out of the classroom.”
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NJ Labor Department Announces $10M Grant to Build Apprenticeship Training Center Capacity
The New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development (NJDOL) announced the investment of $10 million to expand apprenticeship training centers to meet the growing need for skilled workers as New Jersey experiences an unprecedented surge in infrastructure and public works initiatives.
In partnership with the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA), NJDOL’s funding will support the expansion or development of new training facilities. Under an MOU among NJDOL and NJEDA, NJEDA will develop a competitive program that will solicit proposals from entities based in New Jersey that are affiliated with a successful USDOL Registered Apprenticeship.
The MOU will also enable a deepened and expanded collaboration between the two agencies across a range of workforce and economic development initiatives, to reduce barriers to training and employment and help employers retain qualified workers.
“Ensuring the proper training of New Jersey’s skilled workers is essential to the successful development of our infrastructure and public works,” said Governor Murphy. “This investment towards building out our state’s apprenticeship training facilities will provide our skilled workers 21st-century, state of the art facility environments tailored to their learning needs. I thank DOL Commissioner Rob Asaro-Angelo and EDA CEO Tim Sullivan for their continued dedication to New Jersey’s workforce development programs.”
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Official Site of The State of New Jersey
