June 16, 2022

NJBPU Approves Multi-year project by South Jersey Gas

Over the next five years, South Jersey Gas will spend $200 million to refine its distribution system through upgrades to its infrastructure. The improvement program, which was approved by the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities, will begin July 1st.

South Jersey Gas will start by replacing roughly 250 miles of what it says are “at-risk facilities,” including vintage coated steel, plastic mains and related services. 

Alliance Members Flock to Healthcare Construction and Army Corps Events

Members heard firsthand information on billions of dollars’ worth of construction opportunities with the state’s various healthcare systems and also on unprecedented flood protection and resiliency projects with the US Army Corps of Engineers.

Alliance for Action programming is continuing into the summer. The Alliance for Action hosts its annual Statewide Transportation Conference and Annual Offshore Wind event during July and August. Learn more about what you could be missing at www.allianceforaction.com.

Ground Broken For South Amboy Ferry Terminal

As outlined at our recent Middlesex County Chapter meeting, the South Amboy Ferry Project is moving forward. The new ferry service will take passengers directly to lower Manhattan. South Amboy received a federal Passenger Ferry Grant of $5.3 million, strongly supported by Rep. Frank Pallone and Middlesex County officials. 

EPA Funds Loans through

NJ I-Bank

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced a $221 million Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) loan to the New Jersey Infrastructure Bank’s State Revolving Fund (SRF) Program. SRF is investing in 28 water infrastructure projects around the state.

$36 million Exelon-funded Racial Equity Capital Fund

The Fund was recently announced to support minority-owned businesses in Exelon’s service areas in Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, Illinois, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Exelon Utilities is the parent company of Alliance for Action member Atlantic City Electric.

PSEG Funds EV Programs for Non-Profits and Others

Public Service Electric & Gas has committed to help provide financial assistance for 1,100 public charging stations around the state for entities, public or private, that will put those chargers in publicly accessible spaces. One of the first recipients is the Duke Farms orientation center in Somerset County.

Water Project Wish List: Much Need. Less Funding

The demand on the state to pay for water infrastructure projects such as fixing leaky mains, replacing lead pipes, preparing for climate change and removing hazardous chemicals from drinking water is at an all-time high, according to the Department of Environmental Protection. NJDEP has released a list of 679 projects that would cost a total of $6.79 billion if they were all funded. The projects are all part of an annual list of “Intended Use Plans”. That is up from 600 projects on the list last year.

Upcoming Events

6/22/22 - The Inside Scoop with PSE&G President/COO Kim Hanemann. Click here to register. 

7/27/22 - 20th Annual New Jersey Statewide Transportation Conference. Click here to register. 

8/4/22 - Offshore Wind Energy – New Jersey Is Leading The Way. Click here to register. 

Higher Ed Funds Released Thanks to Alliance for Action Advocacy 

The Alliance for Action urged release of critical higher education infrastructure funds in our 2021 gubernatorial white paper.

Governor Murphy moved on that recommendation in January.

Now funds from the Higher Ed Capital Improvement Fund and Equipment Leasing Funds, the Higher Ed Facilities Trust and Higher Ed Technology Infrastructure Fund have been made available.

Click here for more information.

New Jersey Transit Modernizing Bus Garages

The steps necessary to begin the electrification of mass transit are beginning. NJ Transit has awarded an engineering services contract to AECOM to for its Bus Garage Modernization Program. It will start with the design of the infrastructure at NJ TRANSIT’s Hilton Garage in Maplewood, and continue on to 16 bus garages statewide. 

Ørsted and NABTU Reach Agreement

Ørsted has solidified its strong ties with the building and construction trade community, signing a Project Labor Agreement with North America’s Building Trades Unions (NABTU). It is a first for this kind of agreement in the ocean wind industry in the US. The agreement also creates new apprenticeship opportunities in urban communities. 

Caesars Getting A Facelift 

Caesar’s has announced $200 million worth of upgrades at its flagship Atlantic City hotel. It's part of a $400 million investment the company is making by 2023 at its casino properties, which also include Harrah’s Resort and Tropicana.

People and Companies on The Move

Members of the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 825 unanimously reelected Business Manager Greg Lalevee to a new three-year term, his fifth. Lalevee was first elected to the post in 2010.

Former NJEDA head and Port Authority Chair Tony Coscia has been renominated by President Biden for another term on the board of Amtrak. He has served on that board since 2010 and chaired it since 2013. Coscia is executive committee member of Windel Marx in New Brunswick and a board member of the Alliance for Action.

Former NJDOT Commissioner Stephen Dilts has been named the New Jersey Office leader for HNTB. He will be based out of the firm’s Parsippany office. 

Chris Cornick has been promoted to business unit leader for New Jersey for Gilbane. He has served the construction management firm in a variety of roles in the state for more than 15 years. He also will become a firm vice president.

The Utility and Transportation Contractors Association has named Ryan Sharpe the new Director of Government Affairs and Communications. He most recently served as chief of staff for Assemblyman Edward Thomson (R-Wall).

Chris Maher, the chair and CEO of OceanFirst Bank, has been named the chair of the board of directors for the New Jersey Bankers Association. 

Alliance for Action board members, President Joel Bloom of NJIT and Don Dizuzio, Senior VP of T&M, are among those named NJ Biz ICONS. The award goes to exemplary business, educational and community leaders over the age of 60.

New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) hit  #14 overall in Money List of Best US Colleges. 

In compiling its 2022 Best Colleges ranking, Money also ranked NJIT in the top 7% of institutions for supporting economic mobility and top 10% for return on investment.