ACTION ALERT
Clean Water Action posts new Spotlight Action: "Tell NJ DEP Not To Cover Up Toxic Hazards. The Corzine Administration is trying to take away our right to know if a chemical disaster could occur in our communities, endangering our safety, job security, families, and environment." Clean Water Action urges citizens to email a letter to incoming Dept of Environmental Protection head Mark Mauriello. To see a listing of recent NJ Action Alerts from numerous organizations, click here (and look for "ACTION ALERTS" heading)

Infrastructure spending will be an increasingly major topic and area of contest in NJ. Derek Harper of the Press of Atlantic City reports today that governors, including Gov. Corzine, pressed President-elect Obama today in Philadelphia for big dollars for infrastructure, and eased permitting requirements. Given that Obama has indicated support for a major new fiscal package, how the infrastructure money is allocated will be an enormous topic for NJ environmental groups, smart growth groups, and energy efficiency advocates in the coming year/s.

Carpooling rebates - Very high interest. The Press of Atlantic City says its most read article today is its news report on the NJ DOT's expanded carpooling credit program.


Solar Power.

• Lockheed Martin "broke ground today for a solar power testbed in Moorestown that it says will help it enter the renewable power generation market for utilities," writes NJBiz.
• Solar panel project moving forward. Leslie Kwoh of The Star-Ledger reports today that a Superior Court judge ruled that Morristown "has jurisdiction to issue permits and conduct inspections for a massive solar panel project located in Hanover Township." The ruling helps clear the project of a dispute from neighboring Hanover Township. Though it's unclear if the ruling sets any important precedent, the judge did say, "We should not lose sight of the fact we're dealing here with public interest, and federal money to improve a public service."

Farmland/Preservation. The Press of Atlantic City today has an editorial arguing that preserving NJ farmland has a big price, and big rewards too.
Somewhat related: NJ State Agriculture Development Committee - Publishes agenda for Dec. 4 meeting, including certification of a new agricultural development area in Camden County, various conservation easements, other. SADC also announces it will be auctioning various parcels of permanently preserved farmland.

Highlands / power lines. The struggle over whether to let PSE&G build high-powered transmission lines through the Highlands will certainly continue. In the latest salvo, the the township of Byram asked the state to reject PSE&G's application, according a NJ Herald article by Bruce Scruton.

Global Day of Climate Action. Green Jersey blog highlights NJ rally taking place in Highland Park this weekend (Sunday the 7th) to call for action on climate change. The posting also notes that the Essex County Greens will screen two films in Bloomfield pertaining to climate solutions.

New Park. Boundary Creek Park opened yesterday in Burlington County, writes Todd McHale for the Burlington County Times.


Events on Wednesday, 12/3 (See our full CALENDAR. Click on date to link to event detail.)

• 3. The NJ Council of Watershed Associations will meet on the topic of Open Space Funding. In Pennington.
• 3. NJ Office of Smart Growth - open meeting. Agenda item #7 is Staff Analysis on the Gloucester County Rail Line Study. Trenton
• 3. Wild School Sites Workshop. Mountainside.
• 3. Upper Raritan Watershed Association - Wake Up Call Breakfast. Executive Director of Conserve Wildlife.

Related Articles - Most Recent (And see "Labels" at right for more).