Projects

New Jersey Senator Opposes D.O.G.E’s US AID Cuts to Questionable NGO’s and Radical Projects

WASHINGTON, D.C. — New Jersey Sen. Andy Kim questioned the Trump administration’s decision to cancel a majority of U.S. foreign aid programs, demanding transparency on the reasoning behind the cuts. The junior senator got his start in government with U.S. AID, according to his biography. Kim responded to an announcement by Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), who stated that after a six-week review, 83% of USAID programs—totaling 5,200 contracts—had been canceled for failing to serve U.S. national interests. “Show us the review. Show the American people how the programs went against our national interests,” Kim wrote on social media. “The American

Read more

New Jersey Seeks to Punish Towns for Not Building Massive Urban Housing Projects by Denying State Funds

TRENTON, N.J. — If your town is fighting the state of New Jersey over their affordable housing mandate, Trenton is ready to punish your community. The state has drafted legislation that will punish towns by cutting off funds for the handicapped, schools, parks, and other community projects. Comply or be denied. New Jersey lawmakers have introduced a bill that would give priority consideration for state grants to municipalities that comply with their affordable housing obligations, effectively penalizing towns that resist such development. The legislation, sponsored by Assemblymen William Spearman (D-Camden), Sterley Stanley (D-Middlesex), and Raj Mukherji (D-Hudson), would require the

Read more

New Jersey Forcing Small Towns to Build Massive Low Income Housing Projects, While Giving Cities a Pass

TRENTON, NJ – New Jersey is forcing rural and suburban towns to build high-density development to accommodate a housing crisis, caused in part by the influx of hundreds of thousands of illegal migrants living in New Jersey. There’s just one problem with the state’s mandate. It forces small towns to build massive low-income, affordable housing complexes but does not require new construction where it’s most needed, in the state’s urban centers. Senator Joe Pennacchio (R-26) expressed strong opposition to a recent court decision allowing the continued implementation of New Jersey’s state-mandated housing law. This decision comes as a case challenging

Read more

The Bazaar Fall Festival Returns to Whitechapel Projects for a Day of Festive Fun

LONG BRANCH, NJ – On Sunday, October 27, The Bazaar’s Annual Fall Festival at Whitechapel Projects promises an afternoon packed with activities, shopping, and entertainment. From 12 p.m. to 5 p.m., guests can enjoy a variety of fall-themed attractions at 15 2nd Avenue, making it a perfect outing for all ages. A highlight of the event is the Halloween pet costume contest, sure to bring out adorable and creative outfits. Kids can look forward to trick-or-treating, while adults can browse a curated market featuring local artisans and unique finds. Festival-goers can indulge in s’mores by the fire, explore workshops like

Read more

New coalition of municipalities opposes New Jersey’s offshore wind projects

LONG BEACH TOWNSHIP, N.J. — A coalition of more than 40 municipalities and organizations across New Jersey has formed to oppose the state’s large-scale offshore wind energy projects, citing concerns over rising costs to ratepayers and potential environmental impacts. The newly-established Jersey Strong Coastal Coalition (JSCC) is calling on the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to reject new contracts for two major wind energy projects being developed by Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind LLC, a joint venture between Shell Oil and Électricité de France. The coalition sent a letter this week to the BPU, warning of significant rate increases

Read more

New Jersey Congressman: I’ve Never Seen Projects So Bad as Offshore Wind Farms

The battle over offshore wind projects along the Atlantic Coast is heating up, and New Jersey’s own Rep. Jeff Van Drew is leading the charge against them. Fresh off a hearing in Ocean City, Maryland, Van Drew didn’t mince words in a recent interview with Fox News. His message was loud and clear: these projects are bad news for the economy, public safety, and even your seafood dinner. “It’s a bad deal for America,” he said. “It’s a bad deal for New Jersey.” The hearing, hosted by Rep. Andy Harris from Maryland, brought together a group of concerned lawmakers from

Read more

Subsidized Housing Projects in New York City Repurposed for Immigrant Housing

NEW YORK, NY — New Yorkers are reported that subsidized housing projects in New York City originally intended for local families in need have been repurposed to house immigrants exclusively. This policy shift has sparked significant controversy among local residents and advocacy groups. The decision to repurpose these housing units was made following an increase in immigrant arrivals, which city officials cited as a pressing need for immediate housing solutions. These projects, funded by both state and municipal resources, were initially developed to alleviate the housing crisis affecting low-income American families in the city. Critics argue that this change neglects

Read more

Two More Offshore Wind Energy Projects Approved for New Jersey Coastline

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The American Clean Power Association (ACP) has expressed its strong approval following the Department of the Interior and the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management’s (BOEM) Record of Decision for the Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind 1 and 2 projects. This significant development marks a major step forward for renewable energy off the New Jersey coast. Anne Reynolds, ACP Vice President for Offshore Wind, praised the announcement, highlighting its importance for New Jersey’s energy future. “ACP applauds BOEM for yet another important milestone in today’s announcement of the Record of Decision for the Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind Project 1 and 2,

Read more

Bidders on New Jersey Construction Projects Could Soon Be Forced to Disclose Financing Publicly

New Jersey Bill S3481 to Mandate Disclosure of Construction Project Financing TRENTON, NJ – In an effort to increase transparency in government contracting, a new bill proposed in the New Jersey Senate could radically alter the way public contracts work in the Garden State. Introduced on June 20, 2024, by Senator Andrew Zwicker of District 16, which includes Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, and Somerset, New Jersey Senate Bill 3481 seeks to enhance transparency in construction projects. This legislative proposal requires applicants of construction projects to provide detailed disclosures regarding their project financing. Under the proposed legislation, all applications for construction permits

Read more

‘Virtually Impossible’: Chuck Schumer Shoots Down Efforts To Streamline Permitting Process For Key Energy Projects

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer effectively declared major permitting reform dead on Monday, Politico reported. It will be “virtually impossible” to reach a bipartisan permitting reform deal in the near future, Schumer told Politico. Permitting reform, which could benefit both green and fossil fuel-related energy projects, has been a topic of interest to some lawmakers like Democratic West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin and Republican Wyoming Sen. John Barrasso. “I am happy to listen, but I’ve told Joe Manchin it’s going to be virtually impossible to get something done,” Schumer said in response to a question from Politico. Dems’ Energy Permitting

Read more

Rising Costs Sink New York Ocean Wind Projects, Is New Jersey Next?

TRENTON, NJ – This week, rising costs sunk three offshore wind farm projects in New York State. After a tumultuous year on the other side of the river, New Jersey lost two large projects being built by Danish wind energy giant 0rsted. 0rsted bailed on New Jersey, and costs are continuing to rise, making previous wind energy deals unaffordable. Can New Jersey be the next in the line of turbine dominos to fall? New York Cancels Three Offshore Wind Projects Over Turbine and Pricing Challenges New York has terminated three offshore wind projects after encountering pricing issues triggered by GE

Read more

3 Blue State Offshore Wind Projects Scrapped In Blow To Biden’s Green Agenda

Three New York offshore wind projects were canceled Friday in the latest sign of trouble for the stumbling industry and President Joe Biden’s green energy agenda, according to Politico. The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), the agency that handles offshore wind contracts, disclosed Friday that it could not finalize power purchase agreements with three developers that received conditional awards from the state in October 2023, according to Politico. The announcement amounts to a cancellation of the projects, which deals a blow to New York’s goal to reach 70% green energy generation by 2030 and Biden’s goal

Read more

Native American Group Slams Biden Admin’s Move To Limit New Oil Projects In Alaska

The Biden administration defended its recent restrictions on new Alaskan oil projects by saying the move would protect Native Americans, but the natives living in the region say they were largely ignored in the decision making process. The Department of the Interior on Friday finalized a plan to restrict future oil leasing and development across 13 million acres in northern Alaska and to effectively block a road needed to access copper, gold and rare earth deposits in the region. President Joe Biden says the move was made with the interests of natives in mind, a claim the North Slope Iñupiat, natives

Read more

Jackson Township Announces Road Paving Projects

JACKSON TOWNSHIP, NJ—Jackson Township Mayor Michael Reina and the Township Council have approved a series of road paving projects and awarded contracts to start the process. Additionally, Township Business Administrator Terrance Wall announced a forthcoming $1,000,000 project to upgrade playgrounds across Jackson Township and the Jackson Township School District. Wall said a resolution for the playground project would be presented to the council at the next business meeting and credited a mutual working agreement with the school district that had facilitated that project. “When we work in partnership and the organizations work together smoothly, we can get tremendous things done,

Read more

Shore Towns Unite in Fight Against Phil Murphy’s Offshore Wind Projects

TOMS RIVER, NJ – Eight New Jersey shore towns, through legal representation by Pashman Stein Walder Hayden P.C., have reiterated their opposition to proposed offshore wind projects. The towns filed a public comment letter on March 27 with the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (BPU), critiquing draft guidance for new offshore wind project solicitations. The towns, including Long Beach Township, Beach Haven, Ship Bottom, Barnegat Light, Surf City, Harvey Cedars, Brigantine, and Ventnor City express concerns over the potential financial and environmental impacts of the projects. They specifically oppose the re-bidding process for previously approved projects, such as the

Read more

US FAA boosting oversight of United, may delay airline projects

By David Shepardson WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration is increasing oversight of United Airlines to ensure the carrier’s compliance with safety regulations, the agency said on Saturday, following a series of safety incidents. The FAA will initiate a formal evaluation to ensure the Chicago-based airline “is complying with safety regulations; identifying hazards and mitigating risk; and effectively managing safety,” it said in a statement to Reuters. “Certification activities in process may be allowed to continue, but future projects may be delayed based on findings from oversight.” United declined to comment. A source confirmed a Bloomberg News report that

Read more

Biden EPA Projects Americans Will End Up Wasting Billions Of Dollars’ Worth of Time Charging Up EVs

Biden EPA Projects Americans Will End Up Wasting Billions Of Dollars’ Worth of Time Charging Up EVs Nick Pope on March 20, 2024 The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is projecting that Americans could waste billions of dollars’ worth of time juicing up their electric vehicles (EVs). As part of the Biden administration’s broader EV agenda, the EPA finalized aggressive tailpipe emissions standards on Wednesday that are designed to force manufacturers to massively increase the proportion of EVs they produce and sell. The regulatory impact analysis for that rule features estimates for costs of time spent refueling EVs over the coming

Read more

Thailand’s Thaksin projects power as loyalists cosy up

By Panu Wongcha-um and Panarat Thepgumpanat BANGKOK (Reuters) – With politicians pouring in to greet him, a dinner with Thailand’s prime minister and a police escort to places he went, billionaire former premier Thaksin Shinawatra looked more like a statesman this weekend than a convicted criminal on parole. Loyalists, cabinet ministers and lawmakers flew to his hometown of Chiang Mai to visit and consult Thaksin, projecting an image of power for a tycoon who loomed large over politics throughout his 15 years in self-exile to skip jail for abuse of power and conflicts of interest. Thaksin made a dramatic return

Read more

Biden-Appointed Ambassador Threatened Staff And Spent Lavishly On Unnecessary Projects, Report Says

Biden-Appointed Ambassador Threatened Staff And Spent Lavishly On Unnecessary Projects, Report Says Jake Smith on March 1, 2024 Jonathan Kaplan, The U.S. ambassador to Singapore, faced scrutiny over his leadership and diplomatic actions as outlined in a new Office of the Inspector General (OIG) report released in February. Kaplan spent almost $10,000 on unauthorized consulting expenditures, $48,000 on outstanding travel fees, and $27,000 on securing a piano for his friend for a diplomatic event, according to the report. “Numerous staff described a fear, and even direct threats, of reprisal from the Ambassador,” the report reads. “They described his mannerisms with

Read more

Toms River Mayor Hires Powerbroker Attorney to Fight Hi-Rise Projects

TOMS RIVER, NJ – Newly elected Mayor Daniel Rodrick rode a tidal wave of anti-development sentiment last year, defeating incumbent republican Maurice “Mo” Hill in a landslide primary victory.  Rodrick went on to win the General Election, defeating Democrat Ben Giovine with over 71% of the vote.  Although an opposing party member, Giovine supported Hill’s plans for the two 10-story apartment towers downtown. On Wednesday, the township council approved Mayor Rodrick’s first step toward stopping the hi-rise projects.  Rodrick hired Louis N. Rainone from the powerful firm of State Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin.  Their firm has extensive experience and is

Read more

U.S. Treasury approves $228 million for New York state internet projects

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The U.S. Treasury said on Monday it had approved more than $228 million in funding for high-speed internet projects in New York state from the COVID-era American Rescue Plan’s $10 billion Capital Projects Fund, aimed at connecting rural and underserved communities. THE TAKE With Tuesday’s New Hampshire primary possibly cementing former president Donald Trump as the inevitable Republican nominee, the Biden administration is gearing up to sell voters on the tangible results of its economic policies, including the $1.9 trillion in COVID relief funding approved by Democrats in Congress. The funds were awarded to New York’s Municipal

Read more

South Korea to step up monitoring of real estate projects

SEOUL (Reuters) – South Korea’s financial authorities will step up monitoring of real estate projects, the finance ministry said in a statement on Friday. There are lingering concerns over real estate projects, although financial markets have been stable since builder Taeyoung’s Dec. 28 announcement to reschedule its debt, it said, after the minister’s meeting with chiefs of the central bank and regulatory agencies. The meeting was held after Taeyoung’s creditors agreed in the early morning to proceed with restructuring the builder’s debt. (Reporting by Jihoon Lee; Editing by Jacqueline Wong)

Read more

China identifies second set of projects in $140 billion spending plan

SHANGHAI (Reuters) – China’s top planning body said on Saturday it had identified a second batch of public investment projects, including flood control and disaster relief programmes, under a bond issuance and investment plan announced in October to boost the economy. With the latest tranche, China has now earmarked more than 800 billion yuan of its 1 trillion yuan ($140 billion) in additional government bond issuance in the fourth quarter, as it focuses on fiscal steps to shore up the flagging economy. The National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) said in a statement on Saturday it had identified 9,600 projects

Read more

CBO projects 1.5% U.S. GDP growth in 2024, 4.4% jobless rate

(Reuters) – The Congressional Budget Office projects U.S. economic growth to slow to 1.5% in 2024, with the unemployment rate seen rising to 4.4% next year from what it estimates will be a 3.9% average this quarter. The updated projections from the nonpartisan budget referee agency on Friday also included a substantial upward revision to expected GDP growth this year to 2.5%, from 0.9% seen in July. CBO said the growth slowdown expected for next year, and a reduction in its previous projection for 2025 growth to 2.2% from 2.4% seen in July, was due to slower-than-projected growth in consumer

Read more

U.S. Allocates $110 Million for Wildlife Crossing Projects to Reduce Road Collisions

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Transportation is distributing $110 million to support 19 projects across 17 states, aimed at minimizing wildlife-related car accidents and facilitating safe animal crossings. These initiatives are part of a larger five-year, $350 million program, a component of the $1 trillion 2021 infrastructure law. Currently, wildlife-vehicle collisions, especially with large animals such as deer, result in approximately 200 human fatalities and 26,000 injuries annually, apart from causing over $8 billion in damages. The Federal Highway Administrator, Shailen Bhatt, emphasized the significance of this funding in addressing these safety concerns. Notable among the funded projects

Read more