Bill
Bill > AR87
NJ AR87
NJ AR87Urges EPA to expend funds from NJ Superfund settlements to remediate sites at issue.
summary
Introduced
01/09/2024
01/09/2024
In Committee
01/09/2024
01/09/2024
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
01/12/2026
01/12/2026
Introduced Session
2024-2025 Regular Session
Bill Summary
This resolution urges the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to expend funds from New Jersey Superfund settlements exclusively for remediating the Superfund sites at issue and to limit the settlement expenditures used for agency administrative and oversight costs. Prior to the enactment of the Superfund law in 1980, there was continual hazardous waste dumping in the United States, creating thousands of uncontrolled or abandoned contaminated sites, such as warehouses, manufacturing facilities, processing plants, and landfills. As the problem grew, there was an increase in concern over the health and environmental risks posed by these contaminated sites. Two fires in New Jersey, a chemical waste treatment facility in Bridgeport, and a waste storage facility in Elizabeth affirmed the need for national hazardous site remediation. The Superfund law, or the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), was signed on December 11, 1980. The law addressed the dangers of abandoned or uncontrolled hazardous waste dumps by developing a nationwide program for emergency response, information analysis, liability for responsible parties, and site cleanup. The law grants the EPA broad authority to clean up identified contaminated sites and in doing so, improves the surrounding environment. Since the Superfund's inception in 1980, New Jersey has had a total of 2,168 identified contaminated sites. Today, New Jersey has 829 active sites with 152 sites placed on the National Priority List. As of April 2023, New Jersey has the highest number of Superfund sites that require remediation. Hence, it is imperative that EPA recognize the dire need New Jersey has for the funds resulting from in-state Superfund settlements be used for remediating the sites at issue and limit the settlement expenditures used for agency administrative and oversight costs.
AI Summary
This resolution urges the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to use funds from New Jersey Superfund settlements exclusively for remediating contaminated sites within the state, rather than spending significant amounts on administrative costs. The resolution provides context about the Superfund law (Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act or CERCLA), which was enacted in 1980 to address the widespread problem of hazardous waste dumping that created thousands of contaminated sites across the United States. New Jersey specifically has 2,168 identified contaminated sites, with 829 currently active and 152 sites on the National Priority List, making it the state with the highest number of Superfund sites requiring remediation as of April 2023. The resolution recommends that the EPA limit settlement expenditures on administrative and oversight costs to a maximum of 10 percent of the total settlement value and focus the majority of funds on actual site cleanup. Additionally, the resolution directs that copies be sent to the EPA Administrator and the Regional Administrator of Region 2, and it takes effect immediately upon passage.
Committee Categories
Government Affairs
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Introduced, Referred to Assembly Oversight, Reform and Federal Relations Committee (on 01/09/2024)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
Loading...
bill summary
Loading...
bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2024/AR87 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2024/AR/87_I1.HTM |
Loading...