The past few days have been busy in Trenton as the legislature winds down the budget process and the DEP is gearing up for additional rulemaking.
Permit Extension
Legislation to extend permits in Sandy impacted counties was released from Senate Judiciary and the Assembly floor. NJBIA supported these bills since they extend for one year, the permits within areas that are still recovering from the storm.
Environmental Infrastructure Trust
Three bills were passed yesterday and are on the Governor’s desk related to environmental infrastructure. The money would support the EIT and DEP project list. NJBIA supports these efforts and applauds their passage.
Open Space Legislation
In 2014 the voters approved changing the constitutionally dedicated Corporation Business Tax apportionment that NJ Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) receives for air, water and site remediation to open space initiatives. However, there have been disagreements between the administration and the legislature on how to appropriate the money. Yesterday outside the Senate Chamber, a deal was struck between Senator Smith and the Governor’s office. It is unclear yet the impact this may have on other areas within DEP.
New Air Regs
DEP proposes to initiate Air Quality rule revisions that would: decommission Stage II vapor recovery systems (VRS) at gasoline dispensing facilities (GDFs) pursuant to N.J.A.C. 7:27-16.3; eliminate t-Butyl Acetate (TBAC) emissions recordkeeping and reporting requirements pursuant to N.J.A.C. 7:27-34; and amend permitting provisions at N.J.A.C 7:27-8 and N.J.A.C 7:27-22 so that applicable preconstruction requirements incorporated in a Title V operating permit are consistent with Title I of the Clean Air Act.
If you have any preliminary feedback, please send it to Sara by July 5.
For more information about the TBAC rules visit http://www.nj.gov/dep/workgroups/docs/air-20160624-pres1.pdf
For More information about the revisions to Air Permitting Rules visit http://www.nj.gov/dep/workgroups/docs/air-20160624-pres2.pdf
For more information about the Stage I and II changes visit http://www.nj.gov/dep/workgroups/docs/air-20160624-pres3.pdf
