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Aug. 21-27
Electric Cars
This week, Gov. Phil Murphy announced the filing of the Advanced Clean Cars II (ACCII) proposal with the New Jersey Office of Administrative Law. The impact of that filing is that it requires car manufactures to ramp up sales of electric vehicles in advance of a total ban on new fossil fuel cars by 2035.
The move mirrors regulations already in force in California. It is part of the electrification-of-everything strategy spelled out in the state’s 2019 Energy Master Plan.
The move also continues to put pressure on deadlines for electricity generation from renewable sources. As Murphy ups the ante with ACCII, he is following on the heels of his February Executive Order 316, requiring electrification in thousands of residences and commercial buildings.
In New Jersey, the only renewable energy source seen as capable of meeting the electricity generation needs is wind, especially offshore wind, yet resistance is leading to delays in construction schedules, even as Murphy pushes his electrification strategy.
This week, the U.S. Energy Department released three reports extolling the growth of the wind power industry. One of the reports shows the rapidly growing offshore wind capacity based on projections made by various states, including New Jersey. The reports made no comment on the increasing demands for public funding emanating from wind farm development companies.
As if to emphasize the all-or-nothing strategy of the Murphy administration, New Jersey has joined in litigation meant to halt a federally approved multistate natural gas pipeline, saying it will not be needed when states like New Jersey hit their clean energy goals.
Crest Haven Nursing Home
Cape May County is seeking a private entity to assume operating the Crest Haven Nursing and Rehabilitation Center by the end of the year. In an Aug. 8 letter to residents, County Administrator Kevin Lare promised a smooth transition and no change in the level and quality of care.
The county says the facility has been operating with a deficit for years. The county kept the facility open because of a perceived need for a place for low-income residents to go and still be near home and family. Now, county officials argue that a number of private facilities accept Medicaid, which allows the county to consider the transition of Crest Haven.
The union that represents most of the workers at the facility has promised to fight the privatization initiative. Employees and members of the public scolded the Board of County Commissioners, Aug. 22, over what they said was a too-quick and ill-informed attempt to shift responsibility for the home to a private firm.
As far back as 2014, the one-time norm of county-run nursing homes in New Jersey was in trouble. A report by the New Jersey Association of Counties presented a grim financial future for such facilities.
Union and Warren counties sold their facilities that year. Cumberland, Sussex, Burlington, and Camden counties preceded them. The challenge was the high percentage of county home residents who were on Medicaid with low reimbursement rates.
The Washinton Post has recently reported on private operators who have begun rejecting Medicaid contracts, forcing some long-term care residents to find new places to live.
Central Jersey
Yes, Virginia, there is a Central Jersey. It’s official. Gov. Murphy signed legislation this week that puts Central Jersey on the state map. The new area starts just south of the Raritan River and includes, at a minimum, the four counties of Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, and Somerset. Questions remain about parts of Ocean or Monmouth counties.
The argument over whether Central Jersey is a distinct place has been going on for decades. Now, officials in the four counties hope that the official designation will help jump-start new efforts to promote the region’s tourism, which has not recovered fully to pre-pandemic levels. The bill signed by Murphy requires the state Division of Travel and Tourism to redraw its maps to include the new Central Jersey region and to promote the new region.
Happenings
An independent economic impact study showed Cape May MAC is responsible for up to $196 million of visitor spending.
Avalon has hit on a plan that pleases both its pickleball and tennis enthusiasts. It calls for seven new pickleball courts and three new replacement tennis courts at the borough’s 8th Street complex.
A 23-year-old school bus aide is the latest to be arrested in a string of child pornography cases in the county.
Mediation has stalled as Avalon lifeguard lieutenants are seeking pensions. Both sides are waiting for the mediator to reestablish discussions.
Lower Township is moving to rehabilitate several parks. Included in the plan is making the facilities more accessible under the Americans with Disabilities Act.
A teacher, who is employed by the Cape May County Special Services School District, has been accused of abusing a student. The investigation has led to an arrest.
Ocean City Police Chief Jay Prettyman has announced his retirement, ending a 32-year law enforcement career.
Flooding in North Cape May could be linked to screens inserted in storm sewer lines, which were intended to capture leaves and other debris.
The Cape May County Airport is getting a new terminal. The county will advertise a request for proposal that taps a pool of architects for design concepts.
A former New Jersey corrections officer was arrested Aug. 23 for orchestrating two different fraud schemes that targeted police, fire, and other first responders, including a cryptocurrency scheme that resulted in losses of more than $600,000.
Meanwhile, Sea Isle City awarded the contract for construction of a long-awaited dog park, with hopes for a summer 2024 availability.
Wildwood is seeking to cap its landfill with dredge materials from a state Department of Transportation project.
The first phase of a proposed North Wildwood Gold Star Family Memorial should begin this fall, with a grand opening planned for Memorial Day weekend 2024.
Spout Off of the Week
North Wildwood – I think the quality of our spouts (and comments) would improve drastically if we just accept some basic facts: not all democrats are leftist communists, not all republicans are right wing militia members , liberal does not mean Antifa ,conservative aides not mean QAnon. The vast majority of those on the “other side” are not evil, they are Americans with families just like you who worry about the future. If we focus on issues and not hyperbole, who knows, we may even find some common ground.
Read more spouts at spoutoff.capemaycountyherald.com.
