GEI Currents Blog

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Pathways to Market Transformation: The Zero Net Energy Conundrum

The vision of a future where fossil fuel power plants and thousands of miles of high voltage transmission are no longer needed, is intriguing.  However, the path to achieving that vision is fraught with challenges.  To realize this vision, all of the key stakeholders whose support is needed must be effectively engaged. 

National Brownfields Funding: How to Prepare for the 1st Quarter of Calendar Year 2012

On Thursday, January 19, 2012, EPA will host a National Q&A session for all potential applicants for a new grant entitled the Brownfields Multi-Purpose Pilot Grant. The purpose of the call is to provide background on the Multi-Purpose Pilot guidelines and the expected outcome of the pilot; as well as answer any questions potential applicants may have.  The total amount available for each grant is between $400,000 and $550,000.

NJ’s Five Environmental Goals for 2012: The Next Generation of Environmental Management

The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) has set five goals to ensure that “the Department looks across all programs and media in a comprehensive regional approach to achieve results valued by residents and shaped by the characteristics of each region of the state.” Implementation of NJDEP’s goals is meant to achieve the intentions of the new NJ State Strategic Plan, which is focused on economic development in the locations that can support it while also preserving natural resources.  The State Strategic Plan calls for cluster zones to attract high-growth industries. Unlike the previous version of the Plan, there is no map that shows specifically where growth is proposed to occur.   

Positive Steps to Limit Some Negative Impacts of the Site Remediation Reform Act

The NJ Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) made some important concessions aimed to help with municipal budgets in the proposed regulations that will implement the Site Remediation Reform Act (SRRA). For site(s) that a municipality involuntarily acquires by virtue of its function as a sovereign, or where a municipality acquires property by any means for the purpose of promoting redevelopment, they will be exempt from joint and several liabilities under the state’s “Spill Act.” Therefore, the proposed rules and regulations...