Download our Accomplishments 2011 as a PDF file.

CLEAN WATER 

Played an instrumental role in getting the governor to sign the strongest-in-the-nation fertilizer legislation into law (S-2554/A-2290). This will significantly reduce nutrient pollution in New Jersey waterways and Barnegat Bay in particular, one of the most extensive salt marsh ecosystems on the East Coast.

CHILDREN'S HEALTH

Helped ensure the Child Safe Playing Fields Act (S2610) passed the Senate Budget and Environment Committees in June 2011. This legislation would ban toxic pesticides linked to cancer and asthma where children play (daycares, playgrounds, and K-8 school grounds). To date, we have gathered 19 senate co-sponsors and 27 assembly co-sponsors and over 15,000 individual letters of support for this legislation. Currently, we are pushing for its posting and passage in the Senate and Assembly. 

CLEAN AIR

Helped pass the diesel executive order/administrative order (EO/AO#60), a pilot program that may result in statewide retrofit of diesel off road equipment used in state funded projects after 2014. Worked with NJ Environmental Justice Alliance to improve the language as best we could. EO/AO not as strong as written commitment made while governor was campaigning.

CLEAN ENERGY

Mobilized support for legislation that would ban hydrofracking in NJ (S2576). The bill passed the legislature with veto-proof majorities in June 2011. However, Governor Christie has conditionally vetoed the bill and is calling for a 1 year moratorium instead. We are pushing for an override of the governor's veto. Over 3,000 letters have been generated since August 2011.

Co-led effort that will shut down Oyster Creek Nuclear Power Plant within nine years. Worked to ensure the Christie Administration and the NJ Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) filed a legal challenge to a federal Nuclear Regulatory Commission's (NRC) rule that extends the time allowed for storing spent nuclear fuel at nuclear power plants from 30 years to a new standard of 60 years past the licensed life of a reactor. We also got Governor Christie's fulfilled commitment to establish independent safety review board. 

ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE & GREEN JOBS

Launched pilot zero-waste (food and trash reduction, recycling and composting) program at Weequahic High School and Beth Israel Hospital in Newark. Offering backyard composting workshops to local residents and encourage more recycling.

Initiated the Take Back the Ports campaign which focuses on grassroots engagement, clean air and diesel reductions for Newark's port region. Held successful port truck worker protest.

Creating a comprehensive green business development and jobs strategy through Newark's newly formed Green Jobs Development Task Force (report and recommendations due Fall 2012). Secured solar installer certification and "on the job" training for Clean Water Fund's Urban Environmental Institute youth graduates. 

EFFECTIVE COMMUNITY ORGANIZING

NJEF community organizers had another record year-reaching almost 450,000 households, generating almost 130,000 new individual members, over 60,000 email alert subscribers, and almost 30,000 handwritten letters, phone calls, and telewires on environmental issues.

Jane Nogaki, former NJEF Pesticides Reduction Coordinator, received a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region II Lifetime Achievement award.

Download our Accomplishments 2011 as a PDF file.

For more information on our 2012 campaigns, call 732-280-8988 or email njcwa@cleanwater.org