For Immediate Release
Contact: Megan Steele, Sierra Club New Jersey Chapter, megan.steele@sierraclub.org
Attorney General Grewal and Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Acting Commissioner LaTourette have announced the filing of nine new environmental enforcement actions across New Jersey. These include seven cases in overburdened communities that address pollution in Camden, Trenton, Kearny, Secaucus, Edison, Bridgeton, and Egg Harbor City. Two additional cases are based in Butler and Vineland.
These lawsuits cover a broad range of alleged environmental violations. These include illegal dumping that allowed massive quantities of contaminated soil, construction and demolition debris to accumulate near residences; the release of gasoline and other toxic chemicals from underground storage tanks, contaminating soil and groundwater; and releases of chemical and food waste contaminants into stormwater drains and, ultimately, surface bodies of water.
They seek a variety of relief, including clean-up of the contaminated properties, compliance with DEP Administrative Orders and other DEP requirements, payment of civil penalties, and reimbursement to the State for the cost of site investigation, remediation, monitoring, and other related work.
“It is important that New Jersey is putting force back into enforcement. The state is holding polluters accountable, especially those who have deliberately targeted Environmental Justice and overburdened communities. Enforcing environmental laws and making polluters pay for their damage is critical because it acts as a deterrent. These companies have emitted harmful pollution in our air, impacted our groundwater with oil, and have dumped illegal waste in neighborhoods. It is time they clean up and pay for their mess,” said Taylor McFarland, Chapter Coordinator, Sierra Club New Jersey Chapter.