SENATE ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

SENATE, No. 3932

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  JUNE 15, 2021

      The Senate Environment and Energy Committee favorably reports Senate Bill No. 3932.

      The bill changes the laws governing financial assistance and grants for the remediation of contaminated sites from the Hazardous Discharge Site Remediation Fund (fund).

      Specifically, the bill increases the annual cap on the maximum amount of financial assistance and grants that may be issued from the fund to a municipality, county, or redevelopment entity from $2 million to $3 million.  Notwithstanding that limitation, in brownfield development areas, the bill would increase the additional amount that may be awarded to a municipality, county or redevelopment entity from $1 million to $2 million.  The bill also increases the cumulative annual cap of matching grants that may be awarded from the fund to municipalities, counties, and redevelopment entities for projects involving the redevelopment of contaminated property for recreation and conservation purposes, renewable energy generation, or affordable housing from $2.5 million to $10 million.  The bill would take effect immediately and would apply to any applicable applications that are pending as of the bill's effective date.