■ Environmental Business
Continued From Page 8 however , “ I ’ m not sure what the outer boundary will be . It could be 450 days .”
The acting commissioner brings with him more than 20 years of experience in environmental law . He earned his undergraduate degree at Rutgers University and went on to be the salutatorian of his class at Rutgers Law School . Three years ago , Commissioner McCabe brought in LaTourette as chief legal officer and regulatory policy advisor . He was named her chief of staff in 2019 and deputy commissioner last year .
He is proud of the progressive strides New Jersey is taking to not only protect the environment but make it more resilient . Gov . Murphy set 2050 as the state ’ s goal for conversion to clean energy . LaTourette quipped that President Joe Biden “ might have read some of our executive orders ” drafting his environmental plan .
As NJDEP Commissioner , LaTourette promises a practical approach . In repeatedly stressing “ there ’ s no magic switch ,” he acknowledged it would be unfair to impose a moratorium on natural gas because it would leave large swath of the economy in the lurch . He pledged to work in reasonable and realistic ways to get New Jersey on a trajectory toward clean energy .
Tracy Straka , co-chair of CIANJ ’ s Environmental Business Council , urged the commissioner to tap her membership ’ s expertise and experience . Already , LaTourette said he will be seeking input on the most efficient ways to recycle solar panels .
New Jersey took a historic step last year when Gov . Murphy signed “ environmental justice legislation ” which is aimed at protecting certain communities from disproportionately negative impacts of development . LaTourette was instrumental in drafting the legislation and his department is charged with reviewing the environmental and public health impact of certain facilities , such as sewage treatment plants , landfills , scrap metal facilities and others , before issuing permits .
CIANJ President Russo asked the acting commissioner what advice he has for businesses that are hesitant to invest because they fear the environmental justice legislation would impose a “ long and expensive ” permit process .
In response , LaTourette insisted his department is not trying to discourage business . He said he is taking steps to consolidate the process and avoid duplication . He insisted the legislation was drafted to codify the “ good neighbor ” principles to which many abide as good stewards of local communities . “ We all want to do it in our hearts , so let ’ s just make it our practices .”
NJDEP is responsible for protecting public health as well as the quality of the state ’ s air , land , water , and natural and historic sites .
Getty Images / iStockphoto
T & M Associates is a leading national consulting , environmental , engineering , technical services and construction management company that has delivered proven results for a broad spectrum of public and private clients for 55 years .
tandmassociates . com I 800.323.3647
COMPREHENSIVE SOLUTIONS FOR ALL YOUR ENVIRONMENTAL CHALLENGES :
- Regulatory Compliance & Permitting
- Environmental Site Assessment
- Environmental Due Diligence , Site Investigation , Remediation & Redevelopment
- Risk Assessment - PFAS Services
ENVIRONMENTAL LEADERSHIP AWARD WINNER
- Brownfield Redevelopment
- UST / AST Evaluation & Investigation
- Health & Safety - Industrial Hygiene
- Solid Waste & Materials Management
- Water Resources
SERVING CLIENTS FROM LOCATIONS THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES ...
New Jersey | California | Connecticut | Indiana | Michigan | Ohio | Pennsylvania | Texas
10 COMMERCE www . commercemagnj . com