New Jersey Assembly Bill A2041

New Jersey 2022-2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/11/22
• Refer: 1/11/22

Caption

Establishes grant program in DEP to provide financial assistance to municipalities for infrastructure and other physical upgrades to certain municipally owned sanitary landfill facilities closed before June 1987; appropriates $10 million.

Impact

The implementation of AB A2041 is poised to substantially impact state environmental law by formalizing funding for managing legacy landfill sites. By requiring municipalities to comply with DEP standards regarding the proper closure and post-closure care of these facilities, this legislation seeks to enhance local compliance mechanisms for pollution control measures. Additionally, the grant program's prioritization of projects that reduce or eliminate health hazards aligns with broader state goals to protect public health and the environment from the residual impacts of past municipal waste management practices.

Summary

Assembly Bill A2041 aims to establish the 'Municipal Landfill Upgrading and Infrastructure Improvement Grant Program' within the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). The bill is designed to provide financial assistance to municipalities for the upgrading and maintenance of certain municipally owned sanitary landfill facilities that were closed improperly before June 1987. The total funding allocated for this program is $10 million, aimed at reversing and managing the long-term impacts of these sites, ensuring compliant environmental management, and enhancing public safety measures in affected communities.

Contention

A point of contention surrounding A2041 may arise regarding the fiscal implications of the grant program amidst ongoing budget debates. Opponents might raise concerns about the efficacy and necessity of such funding, questioning whether existing resources or alternative funding solutions could address the environmental issues posed by improperly closed landfills. Furthermore, there could be discussions on the sustainability of funding allocations, the criteria for project prioritization, and the overall accountability mechanisms for municipalities receiving grants under this program.