In his recent final address, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy chose not to mention the environment at all. This silence stands in stark contrast to his predecessors, who each left a notable environmental mark.
For instance, past governors made meaningful contributions, like Meyner’s creation of Green Acres and Hughes’ protection of the Meadowlands. Others, like Whitman and Corzine, made strides in preserving open space and enhancing climate legislation. Even Chris Christie, known for his rollbacks on environmental policies, managed to pass a fertilizer ban during his term.
Yet, Gov. Murphy’s time in office lacks such achievements. Instead of reinforcing environmental protections, he reinforced the damage done during Christie’s era. Significant issues include:
- Appointing a Department of Environmental Protection commissioner who previously represented polluters.
- Leaving Christie’s environmental rollbacks largely intact.
- Cutting the DEP budget to 15% below Christie’s levels, resulting in 400 fewer staff.
- Eliminating the Division of Enforcement.
Many view these actions as choices rather than oversights.
Murphy’s administration spoke a lot about climate leadership; however, many believe it fell short. While he leaned heavily on offshore wind projects, emissions increased, and climate resilience investments were lacking. This has created a gap between ambitious goals and tangible results.
Moreover, concerning actions during Murphy’s tenure include:
- Removing the bald eagle from the endangered species list, opening waterfronts to development.
- Allowing deferred maintenance in state parks to balloon to $725 million, reflective of a lack of commitment to stewardship.
Ultimately, the silence about environmental issues in Murphy’s address was telling. It reflects missed chances and a weakened public trust. New Jersey deserves a robust environmental legacy, not one marked by neglect. To read more about the impact of policies on the environment, check out resources from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.
