Newsroom: Press Releases
Lautenberg, Menendez Announce EPA to Give $200K to Newark Group to Clean-Up Brownfields
Federal Funds to Train Newark Residents
Lautenberg Press Office (202) 224-3224
Friday, February 06,
2009
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Sen. Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ) and Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ) today announced the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has given the New Jersey Institute for Social Justice (NJISJ) $200,000 to train more than 80 underemployed or unemployed Newark residents in environmental assessment and cleanup skills. The program is designed to cleanup brownfields and abandoned and underused properties in Newark.
“This Brownfields program encourages the redevelopment of contaminated, abandoned and underused sites. These federal funds will help Newark revitalize these sites and give local residents the skills to attain lucrative, permanent jobs in the environmental sector,” Sen. Lautenberg, who serves on the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee and has made the environment one of his top priorities, said.
“Many New Jerseyans are looking for jobs, and this program will put Newark residents to work while improving their community,” said Sen. Menendez. “This training will not only empower workers, it will help improve neighborhoods and address environmental issues for the benefit of ours and future generations. This is an important first step in creating jobs as well as a healthier economy and environment for us all.”
NJISJ plans to train 87 students and place many of those students in environmental technician jobs and track their progress for one year. The training program will consist of 100-hour training cycles that include coursework in lead abatement, asbestos removal, the Occupational Safety and Health Act, and other issues involving brownfields. Upon completion of the training program, NJISJ will work with the Workforce Investment Board and the Essex County Building Trades Council to help place graduates in permanent environmental jobs.
NJISJ is a Newark-based urban research and advocacy organization dedicated to the advancement of New Jersey's urban areas and residents. Established in 1999 by the Alan V. and Amy Lowenstein Foundation, the Institute provides a dynamic and independent voice for change necessary to create just, vibrant and inclusive urban communities throughout New Jersey.
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