NJBIA today is applauding the efforts of the New Jersey Conference of Mayors for its coordinated call from municipal leaders throughout the state to Gov. Phil Murphy and legislative leadership to stop controversial Land Use rules proposed by the Department of Environmental Protection that will add major burdens and costs to towns, residents and developers throughout the state.
Mayors from more than 130 municipalities have either signed an NJCM Mayor’s Pledge or passed a resolution supporting both the restoration of energy tax receipts and the delay of DEP’s proposed Resilient Environments and Landscapes rules.
In the letter, NJCM President and Dunellen Mayor Jason Cilento cited the need to stop the DEP rules because of their “far-reaching consequences for redevelopment, affordable housing, infrastructure investment, and long-term economic viability.”
The letter was also sent to New Jersey gubernatorial candidates Jack Ciattarelli and Mikie Sherrill.
“We thank NJCM and the various participating municipalities throughout the state for speaking out against these damaging DEP rules, and we also join them in their support for the restoration of energy tax receipts,” said NJBIA Deputy Chief Government Affairs Officer Ray Cantor.
“As we have stated for a year now, the DEP’s proposed rules will significantly expand flood zones using outdated data, will effectively create no-build zones, and will greatly add costs and regulatory requirements to businesses and residents who have no idea that it is coming.
“We maintain, and thankfully more and more municipalities understand, that these DEP rules are the next affordability shoe to drop in New Jersey if they are finalized anywhere close to how they’re proposed.”
NJBIA has also long supported the inclusion, or restoration, of millions in energy tax receipts, collected from utility companies to be returned to municipalities.
In Gov. Murphy’s final FY24, $150 million of those funds were restored.
For FY26, NJCM and its participants are urging the same $150 million restoration “to alleviate budgetary pressure, stabilize property taxes, and ensure continuity of essential local services.”
“The funding from these energy tax receipts helps hold down local property taxes for all taxpayers, including businesses who foot about half of the state’s property taxes without being included in any relief program,” said NJBIA Chief Government Affairs Officer Christopher Emigholz.
“We join NJCM in the support of the restoration of these funds.”
To see the full NJCM letter with participating mayors from all 21 New Jersey counties, click here.
