UTILITY EXECUTIVES REPORT ON CAPITAL PROJECTS TO BOLSTER ECONOMY
New Jersey’s electric, gas and water utilities expect to invest billions of dollars in capital improvement infrastructure projects --- injecting a rare note of optimism in the depressed economic news.

The reports by utility company executives highlighted a conference on June 2nd sponsored by the New Jersey Alliance for Action entitled: “Turning on the Economy.” Alliance President Philip K. Beachem and moderator Richard S. Mroz, President, Salmon Ventures, both stressed utilities are sometimes overlooked on their importance to the state’s economy and ability to generate jobs creation. They also stressed that figures presented reflect accelerated investment projects urged by Governor Corzine and approved by the state Board of Public Utilities.

BPU President Jeanne Fox declared that the accelerated projects approved by the Board did not represent “make-work” projects but necessary utility investments that are ready to move ahead to create employment opportunities.

Among the major presentations were:
-Ralph LaRossa, President & Chief Operating Officer of Public Service Electric & Gas, who said his company will invest $6.7 billion in capital projects over the next five years, including over $1 billion in 2009.
-Dennis Bone, President of Verizon New Jersey, said that his company has installed FIOS systems in more than 320 New Jersey communities. He reported that Verizon has spent $500 million a year on the installations and will continue to make those investments at a somewhat reduced level.
-Jeff DuBois, Senior Vice President – Chief Operating Officer, South Jersey Gas, reported that the company will spend $103 million over the next two years in accelerated investments approved by the BPU.
-Donald Distante, Director of Engineering and Planning, United Water, told the 200 people in attendance that his company from 2010 to 2014 will invest in infrastructure projects, including $78 million for underground equipment, $83 million for treatment and facility upgrades and $18 million for water storage.
-Craig Lynch, Vice President-Energy Delivery, New Jersey Natural Gas, said his firm received BPU approval for 16 accelerated projects totaling $71 million.
-Donald Carter, Vice President & General Manager of Elizabethtown Gas, reported that his company will spend $42.5 million in 2009 for distribution and system improvements.
-Jason Gonzalez, Vice President – Governmental Affairs, New Jersey American Water, said that his company has invested $630 million in capital improvements. He noted that the company’s continuing infrastructure needs were illustrated by the report of the US Environmental Protection Agency that New Jersey’s water utilities need to spend $3-$10 billion over 20 years.
-James W. Tarpey, Vice President-Operations, Rockland Electric, informed the audience of a number of capital improvements his company is making or will make to serve 70,000 customers in Northern New Jersey.

NEW JERSEY TO RECEIVE $73.6 MILLION IN ENERGY STIMULUS FUNDS
New Jersey will receive $73.6 million in federal stimulus funds for its energy priorities, it was announced by Governor Corzine. He said the money will be used for major investments in energy efficiency and conservation and expansion of renewable generation.

In an application to the US Department of Energy, New Jersey said the spending would be consistent with the Governor’s Energy Master Plan. Goals of the Plan are to reduce energy consumption by 20 percent by 2020 and increase the amount of renewable energy to 30 percent of the state’s energy consumption by 2020.

SUPREME COURT UPHOLDS CORZINE SCHOOL AID FORMULA
The Corzine Administration’s new formula for funding schools has been upheld by the New Jersey Supreme Court. By a 5-0 ruling, the Court found that the system is “a constitutionally adequate scheme.” The opinion written by Justice Jaynee LaVecchia declared: “The legislative and executive branches of government have enacted a funding formula that is designed to achieve a thorough and efficient education for every child regardless of where he or she lives.”

The School Funding Reform Act was adopted last year at the behest of Governor Corzine. As a result of four decades of Court rulings, the state’s 31 Abbott urban school districts have received billions of dollars of special funding help. Under the new system state aid would be distributed based on enrollment, without special treatment for urban schools.

However, the Court did say that New Jersey must continue to make some extra money available to the Abbott districts for at least three more years. That system must be reviewed for fairness in three years.

HARTZ TO MOVE AHEAD ON DEVELOPMENT OF OLD FORD SITE
The mixed use redevelopment known as Edison Towne Square by Hartz Mountain Industries is moving closer for the 98-acre former Ford Motors plant site on Route 1. Hartz made the first of two installments toward a $1.5 million payment to Edison and said it plans to break ground soon.

The Secaucus-based developer expects to begin construction on the project’s first phase by the summer, including a 140,000-square-foot Sam’s Club with a gas station and infrastructure work. In April, the Edison Planning Board granted final approval to the project, which has been in planning for four years following Hartz’s purchase of the site in 2004. Hartz has donated 7.5 acres of land to the township on the site’s Vineyard Road border.

ALLIANCE SOUTH JERSEY DINNER TO HONOR LEADERS
Two prominent South Jersey leaders will be honored by the New Jersey Alliance for Action on Wednesday, June 17. They are Executive Director Bart Mueller of the South Jersey Transportation Authority and Camden County Freeholder Jeffrey Nash.

The Alliance’s annual South Jersey Dinner will be held at the Tavistock Country Club, beginning at 5 p.m. with a reception followed by the dinner at 6:30 p.m.

Mueller will receive the Alliance for Action Hall of Fame Award, Nash will be the recipient of the annual Walter Rand Award for public service, named for the late Camden County state senator.

Mueller has been SJTA Executive Director since January 2007. Prior to that, he served as Deputy Executive Director, a post in which he is credited with reorganizing staff and restructuring the organization.

Nash, a prominent trial attorney, is Vice Chairman of the Delaware River Port Authority. Previously, he was elected in 1991 to the Camden County Board of Freeholders, where he served as Director for 10 years.
To register Go Here.

TETERBORO RUNWAY TO GET $27 MILLION OVERHAUL
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey will begin a $27 million overhaul of an aging runway at Teterboro Airport. Some $5 million will come from federal stimulus funding.

The runway, which runs from southwest to the northeast, has not had its foundation renovated in 14 years. The Authority engaged Tilcon of New York to repave and rebuild the runway beginning this month and also to include improving the runway’s drainage, lighting and communications system.

GROUND BREAKING SET FOR NEW BRUNSWICK TRANSIT VILLAGE
Ground breaking for the Gateway Transit Village in downtown New Brunswick will be held on Wednesday, June 10. The ceremony will begin at 11 a.m. on Washington Avenue between Easton Avenue and Wall Street.

Governor Jon Corzine has been invited. Confirmed participants will be Mayor James N. Cahill, Dr. Richard L. McCormick, President of Rutgers University, Jerold L. Zaro, Chief of the Governor’s Office of Economic Growth, and State Transportation Commissioner Stephen Dilts.

BERGEN ALLIANCE TO HEAR REPORTS ON MEADOWLANDS AND STIMULUS
The Bergen County Alliance for Action will meet Friday, June 5, to hear reports on the Meadowlands Sports Complex and federal stimulus funding. The meeting at the Pegasus Hambiletonian Room at the Meadowlands Race Track will begin at 8:15 a.m. with registration followed by the program at 9:00 a.m.

Speakers will be:
-Dennis Robinson, President & CEO of the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority.
-Brian Strizki, P.E., Director-Office of Design Services, New Jersey Department of Transportation.
-Dennis Hart, Executive Director of the New Jersey Environmental Infrastructure Trust.
To register Go Here.

SOUTH JERSEY TRANSPORTATION BLUEPRINT TO BE OUTLINED
The Camden County Alliance for Action will meet Wednesday, June 24, to hear Chief Executive Officer John Matheussen of the Delaware River Port Authority of Pennsylvania and New Jersey, present “A Transportation Blueprint for Southern New Jersey.”

The meeting will convene with registration at 8:15 a.m. and the program at 9 a.m. at The Mansion on Main Street, Voorhees. Other speakers will be:
-Brian Strizki, P.E., Director-Office of Design Services, New Jersey Department of Transportation, on “The Stimulus Has Landed.”
-Dr. Ali A. Houshmand, Provost of Rowan University on “Health Care Related Program at Rowan.”
Co-Chairs of the Camden Alliance are County Freeholder Deputy Director Edward T. McDonnell, and Nancy Myers, President, QWIC, Inc./Myers Construction Group.
To register Go Here.

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