![Chrissy Buteas](https://njbia.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Chrissy-Buteas-Headshot.jpg)
Chrissy Buteas Chief Government Affairs Officer
On behalf of our member companies that provide more than 1 million jobs in the state and make the New Jersey Business & Industry Association the largest statewide business association in the country, we oppose S-678 (Bateman, Smith), which would prohibit the treatment, discharge, disposal, or storage of any wastewater, wastewater solids, sludge, drill cuttings or other byproducts resulting from hydraulic fracturing. This legislation limits the ability of New Jersey businesses from recycling wastewater from out of state.
NJBIA understands that hydraulic fracturing is an issue with many sides. However, New Jersey is the home to many of the world’s leading businesses with expertise in science and recycling. We have expertise and wastewater treatment facilities that clean up liquids on a daily basis. Within the process of fracturing the water that is used referred to as the fluid. After the fracturing is complete, the fluid returns to the surface level. Since the water used within fracking has the ability to be recycled and reused, NJBIA feels it is best to provide a resource for companies and states to preform that recycling. This should include using New Jersey businesses. This legislation would prohibit our companies from helping restore the water and return it for additional use.
As our state continues to grow its economy, NJBIA does not feel we should limit opportunities for our companies who may be able to provide a service to the environment and the economy. For these reasons we respectfully oppose S-678.