Online News Now - April 13, 2018

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NUCLEAR ENERGY BILL PASSES SENATE AND ASSEMBLY  This week both the NJ Senate and General Assembly passed S-2313 sponsored by Senate President Stephen M. Sweeney and A-3724 sponsored by Assemblyman John F. McKeon, establishing a zero emission certificate program for nuclear power plants.  The measure will now be sent to NJ Governor Phil Murphy.   The bill provides a $300 million per year subsidy for two nuclear power plants operated by PSE&G - Hope Creek Nuclear Generating Station and the Salem Nuclear Power Plant.  The two nuclear plants provide the state with approximately 40% of its electricity, and are an economic engine for the entire region. NJ Alliance for Action President Phil Beachem testified before the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee in support of the bill.  Similarly Alliance for Action Vice President Chris Hartman testified before the Assembly Appropriations Committee.   Beachem in his testimony noted, "This is the most important economic development legislation for South Jersey. It would be devastating to the region, and the rest of the state, if these plants closed."  Beachem testifying at Senate hearing.  PEOPLE ON THE MOVE Dr. Louis Manzione accepted the position of President of AICUNJ and ICFNJ effective July 1, 2018.  The AICUNJ is a state-wide organization representing New Jersey's private colleges and universities. Currently Dr. Manzione is dean of the engineering school at the University of Hartford. Governor Murphy announced  the appointment of Jerry Zaro to serve on the Board of Trustees of the Gateway Program Development Corporation. Former Utility Transportation Contractors Association Executive Director Anthony Attanasio has recently joined AECOM.  George Lobman has accepted the position of Executive Director of the Utility Transportation Contractors Association.  Advanced Infrastructure Design, Inc. (AID) is proud to announce that Richard T. Hammer former NJ DOT Commissioner will be joining the firm as Senior Vice President. The College of New Jersey Board of Trustees has selected New Jersey native Kathryn A. Foster as the 16th president of the College.  NJM Insurance Group has selected Mitch Livingston as the new President and Chief Executive Officer of NJM.  Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of NJ announced Kevin P. Conlin as their new Chairman of the Board.  Amy Mansue was recently installed as Chair of the Board of the NJ Hospital Association.  Merodie A. Hancock, Ph.D, was appointed the fourth President of Thomas Edison State University.  NJBIA has announced Christine Biteas as its new Chief Government Affairs Officer.  Roy Denmark, Jr. is the Chair of the Partnership for the Delaware Estuary.  TRANSACTION - MOVING GATEWAY FORWARD New Jersey Alliance for Action President Phil Beachem will be moderating a panel at TransAction Conference on April 18th in Atlantic City.  This panel will include a planning overview of the entire Gateway Program, update on governance, status of funding/ financing, construction packaging, and next steps for planning the elements of the Gateway Program. Panelists include:     Marie Corrado, Senior Director, Gateway Program, Amtrak Drew Galloway, Vice President, Director Planning and Service Development, WSP Francis Sacr, Interim Finance Director, Gateway Program Development Corporation GOVERNOR MURPHY ANNOUNCES NEW VISION FOR NJ'S ECONOMIC FUTURE Governor Phil Murphy outlined his vision for the Hub, a pivotal redevelopment site in downtown New Brunswick that will support New Jersey's economic future as the state's home for research and start-up incubation. The site, owned by the city of New Brunswick and being managed by DevCo, is approved for up to four million square feet of commercial development that can complement the recent residential, retail, and entertainment growth and development in New Brunswick. The site, which will be adjacent to the New Brunswick train station, provides a strong proximity to existing corporate, medical, and academic research activity and extraordinary public transportation assets. While development of the Hub is in the earliest stages of a years-long process that will require engagement from multiple partners, Governor Murphy announced that the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (EDA) will immediately begin a planning and implementation study. He also stated that there will be plans for the EDA to identify potential partners for the Hub. EARLY WORK BEGINS ON PORTAL BRIDGE Work has begun on the Portal Bridge component of the Gateway regional rail project.  The work is being funded via a $6 million federal grant secured by NJ TRANSIT and $4 million of NJ TRANSIT'S money. Work under way includes preparing the site for future major construction by relocating utilities, access roads and building an in river pier to receive construction materials.  NEW MEMBERS JOIN ALLIANCE FOR ACTION BOARD  The New Jersey Alliance for Action  announced the following individuals have joined the Board:  Joseph Demark, Jr., President & Business Manager, Sheet Metal Works Local No. 25 Don DiZuzio, Senior Vice President, T&M Associates Rochelle Hendricks former Secretary of Higher Education Robert Peake, Director, Facilities Construction & Real Estate, Atlantic Health Donald Shields, Vice President & Director of Engineering, NJ American Water Company, Inc.  Mark McKoy, Vice President & General Manager - New Jersey Operations, Suez  GOVERNOR'S BUDGET PROPOSAL OUTLINES $242 MILLION IN NEW FUNDING FOR NJTRANSIT Governor Phil Murphy reinforced his commitment to establishing a safer, fairer, more customer-friendly transit system for New Jerseyans, outlining plans for the additional $242 million state investment in NJTRANSIT announced in his budget address. The 172 percent funding increase for Fiscal Year 2019 will begin putting NJTRANSIT back on track - without a fare hike. For more information click here.  NJ LSRP PROGRAM NJ City University and Connell Foley are hosting a program on NJ LSRP: Implications for Legal & Environmental Insurance Professionals on April 24, 2018. Click here for more information.  UPCOMING MEETINGS 4/16/18 - City of Camden....A Growing Economic Force, click here to register.  4/30/17 - Golf Classic, click here to register. ONLY THREE FOURSOMES LEFT!