A 2% surcharge on property insurance policies, mandatory fees on the oil and gas industries, and holding a public referendum are ways a public-private group formed in the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy recommends to pay for projects to protect New Jersey from the next big storm.

In a report released this week, Rebuild By Design, which formulates plans for disaster resilience, says New Jersey is being pummeled by climate-related disasters, costing taxpayers $7.2 billion over a decade.

It urges the state to hold a public referendum for voters to approve investments in climate-related resiliency projects. It also advocates for a surcharge on property and casualty insurance policies, as well as the creation of a “Superfund” for the resiliency projects to be paid for through mandatory charges to the oil and gas industries.

Two Democratic state lawmakers introduced a bill to do that in New Jersey earlier this month. New York passed a similar law, which is awaiting action by Gov. Kathy Hochul, and similar efforts have happened in Massachusetts, Vermont and Maryland, the group said.

“A majority of the federal funding for building climate resilience is only available when people are already suffering in the aftermath of a disaster,” said Amy Chester, the group’s managing director. “We need to shift those investments to dollars that can be allocated more proactively to build resilience ahead of storms and before the most vulnerable communities suffer.”

The group has designed programs in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut stemming from lessons learned from Sandy. They include a mixture of hard barriers such as flood walls and gates; nature-based solutions such as wetlands restoration; and stormwater and drainage improvements that are in varying stages of completion in the region.

It says New Jersey has experienced 14 federally declared disasters between 2011 and 2021. Each of the state’s 21 counties has experienced at least five such disasters, including flooding and wildfires, during that time.

The $7.2 billion in disaster recovery aid spent in New Jersey ranks the state third in the nation over that time span, the group said.

Environmental groups applauded the call for a stable source of funding for projects to mitigate the effects of the next storm rather than just clean up and rebuild after it.

“New Jersey is the fastest warming state in the Northeast and third-fastest in the country, meaning our communities and homes are on the frontlines,” said Anjuli Ramos-Busot, New Jersey director of the Sierra Club. “We have an urgent need for state funding to protect ourselves and our environment in advance from worsening storms, flooding, and extreme weather events to increase our ability to withstand and recover. We must take preventative action now to save lives and our pockets from future disasters.”

Tim Dillingham, executive director of the American Littoral Society, said bad land-use decisions have put many people and public investments in harm’s way.

“That vulnerability is growing as climate impacts increase,” he said.

Ray Cantor, an official with the New Jersey Business and Industry Association, said the group agrees on the need to increase resilience to natural disasters. But he added, “How it’s funded is, as always, a conversation that needs to account for feasibility and affordability.”

Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy’s office did not respond to a message seeking comment, and the state Department of Environmental Protection, declined comment.

Sandy hit the nation’s most populous metro area on Oct. 29, 2012. It swamped coastline communities, knocking out power, flooding transit systems and setting neighborhoods ablaze. It has been blamed for 182 deaths, including 12 in New Jersey and 48 in New York, and caused tens of billions of dollars worth of damage, including $36.8 billion in New Jersey and $32.8 billion in New York.

___

Copyright 2024 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics
Energy
Oil Gas
New Jersey

Kamala Harris now has three delegates after picking up the backing of Newark Council President LaMonica McIver.

“Vice President Kamala Harris is more than prepared to unite and move this country forward,” McIver said.  “I offer my full support for her as she pursues the Democratic nomination for president.”

McIver endorsed Harris even though U.S. Senator Cory Booker, who once held the Newark Central Ward city council seat she now occupies, has not yet announced if he intends to run to seek the presidency.

McIver was elected as a district delegate to the Democratic nomination pledged to Joe Biden.

She’s also essentially a congresswoman-elect after winning a special Democratic primary last week to replace Rep. Donald Payne, Jr. (D-Newark) in New Jersey’s 10th district and the Democratic nomination to take Payne’s place on the general election ballot.    McIver must still win a September 18 special election to fill Payne’s unexpired term against Republican Carmen Bucco, but the 10th is among the most Democratic House districts in the nation.

The other two delegates to endorse Harris are Atlantic County Democratic Chairman Michael Suleiman and Newark Mayor Ras Baraka.

While travel throughout the country is at an all-time high, so are the costs associated with your vacation. Hotel costs, meals out, airline costs and car rentals can get expensive for those on a tight budget.

There is a misnomer that many New Jersey destinations are expensive, when you look at costs a little harder, enjoyable day trips and the costs are reasonable.

The folks at AirportParkingReservations.com put together a list and did research at places around New Jersey to determine what are the most cost-effective destinations in New Jersey. Factors include finding the cost of beer, cappuccino, meal for two, cinema for two, public transportation and most budget friendly destination.

Coming near the bottom of the top ten destinations is Elizabeth, NJ.

It will cost you $100.00 for dinner for two and over $8.00 for a cold beer. Their ranking is not so strong at 30.6.

#8 – Woodbridge, NJ

The cost of a meal for two averaging $80.00, public transportation averaging $6.00 and a hot cappuccino will cost you $5.24. They have a ranking of 37.5

#7 Edison, NJ

Want a beer? Be prepared to pay $7.00 on average, a meal for two will cost you a reasonable $70.00. They have a ranking of 52.8.

#6 – Trenton, NJ

Trenton is a little high with a beer costing $8.00 and a meal for two at $75.00. The good news is that public transportation is only $3.00 on average.

#5 Toms River, NJ

A beer is only $5.00 but a meal will cost you $80.70. Toms River has an overall ranking of 68.4.

#4 is Cherry Hill, NJ

A beer, cappuccino and going to the cinema are all in line with the low average but if you want a meal for two, you will shell out $80.00. Their overall ranking is 69.3.

#3 Jersey City, NJ

You can get a beer on average for $6.50, a meal fortwo at $80.00 but public transportation is under $3.00. Going to the movies will cost $30.00 for two. Jersey City has a ranking of 71.2.

Before you get bent out of shape on our top two choices, keep in mind there are good places to check out in both cost-effective locations. You must be open-minded.

#2 is Newark, NJ

The only factor that kept them out of first place was the average of $6.00 for public transportation. Every other factor in Newark was the lowest in New Jersey. Newark has a ranking of 73.3.

#1 Camden, NJ

Yes Camden. In Camden it will cost you $6.00 for a beer, $4.74 for a cappuccino, $70.00 for a meal for two, you will pay $28.00 to go to the movies and you can get there on public transportation for under $3.00. Camden comes in with an impressive ranking of 93.3.

Enjoy our cost-effective locations here in New Jersey and save some cash.

The post above reflects the thoughts and observations of New Jersey 101.5 weekend host Big Joe Henry. Any opinions expressed are Big Joe’s own.

Report a correction 👈