SMITH MEASURE TO PROTECT STATE FORESTS APPROVED BY SENATE

TRENTON – A bill sponsored by Senate Environment Committee Chair, Senator Bob Smith, which would establish a new forest stewardship program in the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to protect privately-owned forests in the Garden State was approved today by the Senate, receiving a vote of 35-3.

“New Jersey has taken a bold step in pledging to drastically cut greenhouse gas emissions by the year 2020,” said Senator Smith, D-Middlesex and Somerset. “However, if we’re going to meet our greenhouse gas reduction goals in the next two decades, we need to protect our biggest weapon in the carbon-sequestering arsenal – our State’s lush forest land. Through this legislation, we’re extending support and incentives to good-faith forest stewards and ensuring that forestland will be preserved from overdevelopment and suburban sprawl.”

SMITH MEASURE TO PROTECT STATE FORESTS APPROVED IN BUDGET COMMITTEE

TRENTON – A bill sponsored by Senate Environment Committee Chair, Senator Bob Smith, which would establish a new forest stewardship program in the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to protect privately-owned forests in the Garden State was approved today by the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee by a vote of 9-0, with 4 abstentions.

“New Jersey’s forests are our most important tool in carbon sequestering and reversing global warming in the Garden State,” said Senator Smith, D-Middlesex and Somerset. “We have a public interest in ensuring the continued vitality and sustainability of forest-land, not only in terms of public recreation, but also in terms of environmental protection. By tapping into existing preservation programs, we can ensure that New Jersey’s forests will survive over-development and suburban sprawl and continue to contribute to our efforts to reduce global warming in the State.”

SMITH BILL TO REQUIRE NEW HOME DEVELOPERS TO INSTALL SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEMS IF REQUESTED APPROVED IN COMMITTEE

TRENTON – A bill sponsored by Senator Bob Smith which would require developers of new residential development in New Jersey to offer to install solar energy systems for home buyers was unanimously approved by the Senate Economic Growth Committee today.

“Solar energy represents one of the best renewable energy sources that we can tap to offset home energy needs,” said Senator Smith, D-Middlesex and Somerset, and Chairman of the Senate Environment Committee. “For new home construction, home buyers have a lot of say in negotiating for improvements upon the base blueprint, including an expanded kitchen, a fireplace, or a fully-loaded bathroom. Through this legislation, we’re saying that renewable energy systems – and the energy cost savings they bring – are just as important as having the Jacuzzi soaking tub or granite kitchen countertops in new home construction.”

State Sen. Barbara Buono wants to stay focused on state budget issues

At least three State Senators want to succeed U.S. Rep.-elect John Adler (D-Cherry Hill) as chairman of the power Judiciary Committee, a decision that will be made by Senate President Richard J. Codey (D-Essex). 

Sources say state Sen. Nicholas Scutari (D-Linden), Sen. Nia Gill (D-Montclair), and Sen. Paul Sarlo (D-Wood-Ridge), want to succeed Adler, while two other senators with legal cred say they’re satisfied with their present chairmanships and don’t want to make a play for judiciary chair.

“It would be an interesting chairmanship,” admitted state Sen. Barbara Buono (D-Metuchen). “But I can’t imagine a more challenging chairmanship than the budget committee, and right now with the economy what it is, I would like to stay focused.”

State Sen. Raymond Lesniak (D-Elizabeth), who already serves on the judiciary committee, said he’s likewise not budging from his current chairmanship of economic development.

SMITH GREEN BUILDINGS LOAN BILL APPROVED BY ECONOMIC GROWTH PANEL

TRENTON – A bill sponsored by Senator Bob Smith which would promote the construction and renovation of buildings to meet green building standards in New Jersey was unanimously approved by the Senate Economic Growth Committee today.

“During our current national economic crisis, New Jersey needs to be concerned with expanding our economy and encouraging growth and investment in the State,” said Senator Smith, D-Middlesex and Somerset, and Chairman of the Senate Environment Committee. “However, we need to be careful that in our efforts to keep our State’s economy afloat, we don’t do irreparable damage to our fragile ecosystem, and strain the energy infrastructure. By providing incentives for green construction, New Jersey is sending the message that we’re committed to environmentally-friendly development in the Garden State.”

SMITH MEASURE TO PROTECT STATE FORESTS APPROVED IN COMMITTEE

TRENTON – A bill sponsored by Senate Environment Committee Chair, Senator Bob Smith, which would establish a new forest stewardship program in the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to protect privately-owned forests in the Garden State was unanimously approved today.

“When you talk about carbon sequestering and reducing global warming, forests are the number one most important tool in removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and reversing the global warming trend,” said Senator Smith, D-Middlesex and Somerset. “For that reason, the public has a major stake in privately-owned forest land. We need to protect and preserve our forests, and encourage owners of privately-owned forest land to make long-term plans to maintain and sustain our State’s canopy.”

ADLER-SMITH BILL TO EXEMPT RENEWABLE ENERGY SYSTEMS FROM PROPERTY TAXES SIGNED INTO LAW

TRENTON – A bill sponsored by Senators John H. Adler and Bob Smith which will exempt renewable energy systems, such as solar panels, from local property taxes was signed into law yesterday by Governor Corzine.

“One of the biggest challenges we face in the next decade is breaking our national reliance on foreign-produced fuel,” said Senator Adler, D-Cherry Hill. “I am sick of sending American money around the world to buy oil from countries that hate us. This law will help us grow our own economy and protect our environment at the same time, while reducing our dependence on foreign oil.”

MEDIA ADVISORY - SENATE AND ASSEMBLY ENVIRONMENT PANELS TO HOLD HEARING ON SHORE ISSUES THURSDAY

Hearing Will Cover Off-Shore LNG Facilities, Public Access to Beaches

TOMS RIVER – The New Jersey Senate Environment Committee and the Assembly Environment and Solid Waste Committee will hold a joint hearing on Thursday, August 7 in the LMH Room at the Toms River Township Municipal Building to discuss issues important to the vitality of the Jersey Shore.

“It’s essential that the people living at the Jersey Shore have a voice in their government,” said Senator Bob Smith, D-Middlesex, the Chair of the Senate panel. “Too often, decisions that affect the economic and environmental vitality of the Jersey Shore are made on the other side of the State in a Trenton committee room. We need to give Shore residents a forum to raise their concerns, and bring their ideas back with us as we go through the legislative process.”

SMITH BILL TO ENCOURAGE MUNICIPALITIES TO THINK GREEN SIGNED INTO LAW

TRENTON – A bill sponsored by Senator Bob Smith which allows municipal planning boards to consider environmental sustainability and green buildings in creating their municipal master plans was signed into law yesterday by Governor Corzine.

“As more and more State residents are becoming aware of terms like ‘carbon footprint’ and making environmentally-conscious decisions, it’s time local government followed suit,” said Senator Smith, D-Middlesex, the Chair of the Senate Environment Committee. “We need to set the example for our constituents that environmentalism and progress are not mutually-exclusive. By giving municipalities more latitude in going green when making zoning plans for the future, we can send a strong message to State residents about the importance of protecting our shared environment.”

EDISON - Diners anchor what’s left of the train-track and warehouseEdison Mayor Jun Choi: Politicker file photo girded countryside in this sprawling town, fifth biggest in New Jersey, where Mayor Jun Choi drinks his coffee on a summer morning in one of the more recognizable roadside haunts called the Plaza Diner.

The suit and tie and modest demeanor belie a man restlessly at work, for if Choi was an enigmatic upstart when he hit the scene three years ago, he has built himself into a surging political force, three-fourths of the way into his first term.

"And I’m running again," he says with a smile.

The Edison-raised kid who came from the inner sanctum of Bill Bradley’s machine-bucking 2000 presidential campaign, former state Department of Education wonk, Choi remains the Democratic Party outsider in a party that still does not know quite what to do with him.