GOVERNOR PHIL MURPHY
“The decisions made by the Department of Environmental Protection are not just important for today, but will have far reaching impacts across generations. The work we do now for cleaner air and water, to meaningfully combat climate change, to ensure that every community is treated with dignity and respect and that the principles of environmental justice serve us every day, will far outlive us all. Shawn’s passion for environmental protection, coupled with his extensive knowledge on climate, energy, and infrastructure, will help build an environmental legacy that exemplifies these principles. I am confident that with Shawn’s leadership, we will create a cleaner, more sustainable New Jersey that we are proud to leave for future generations.”
COMMISSIONER-DESIGNATE SHAWN LATOURETTE
“To serve the people of New Jersey as Commissioner of Environmental Protection is an honor beyond any I could have imagined, and I am grateful to Governor Murphy for his outstanding environmental leadership, and his confidence in mine. “New Jersey has no shortage of environmental challenges—from confronting the climate crisis to modernizing our water infrastructure—challenges that also present us with an incredible opportunity to grow our economy, lift our people, and further the promise of environmental justice. NJDEP is charting a new course for the future in our great state, with a stronger, more just environment at its center. I am eager to lead the Department in supporting Governor Murphy in his vision to make New Jersey a national model for its commitment to a more resilient, fairer, greener future for everyone.”
NEW JERSEY SIERRA CLUB DIRECTOR JEFF TITTEL
“The Governor has decided to name Shawn Latourette as DEP Commissioner. This is not a surprise since he was named Acting Commissioner by the Governor and has held the position of Chief of Staff. He is a known quantity to the administration and was a favorite to get the job, and he did get it. He’s very sharp politically, and he’s someone we can work with, but we do have some concerns. He doesn’t have a government background and has never run an agency or managed anything like the DEP, so that could create some challenges.
“We have concerns that Latourette has lobbied for clients in front of DEP. He’s actually had to recuse himself on a number of issues because of companies that he has worked for. He will be the first DEP Commissioner in New Jersey’s history who lobbied in front of the DEP for applicants. We also have concerns about some of his positions on issues, and we hope that he follows through on Governor Murphy’s commitments on Environmental Justice and equity for the state.
“We were hoping for a DEP Commissioner who had a stronger background in Environmental Justice and who came from an EJ Community. However, we know that Shawn does make this a top concern. At today’s budget hearing, he refused to answer about having a moratorium on fossil fuels, even in overburdened and Environmental Justice communities. We’ve also disagreed with him on issues like logging at Sparta Mountain, burning of CF4 at the Rahway Incinerator, streamlining permits, regulating CO2 and meeting the IPCC goal of 45% reductions by 2030, stopping Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD), and allowing developers to ‘build at your own risk’ in flood risk zones. We have a good dialogue and working relationship, but we do have serious concerns.
“Shawn Latourette has worked within the DEP for a few years, and he’s working on many issues. He’s been carrying out the work of the administration, but we hope that they can go further. The Murphy Administration needs to take the climate emergency more seriously and move faster to strengthen our rules. They not only need to fix Christie’s rollbacks but move DEP forward when it comes to integrating climate impacts into rules and regulations. They also need to move faster to get the Environmental Justice Rules in place while helping to reduce pollution from existing facilities. Shawn has been appointed by Governor Murphy to carry out his agenda, so the Governor needs to step up to make stronger commitments and move New Jersey forward. We hope that Shawn can actually help modernize the DEP and move them forward when it comes to protecting the environment and tackling these issues of Environmental Justice, climate change, moving forward with renewable energy, and getting rid of fossil fuels.”
CLEAN WATER ACTION NJ AND NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE DIRECTOR KIM GADDY
“When Shawn LaTourette puts his mind to something, he gets it done. We’ve seen it happen with the passage of the 2020 EJ law. Now we need the most aggressive EJ and climate pollutant policies implemented as if our life depends on it, because it does. We need to make sure no more burdens come to Black, Brown and lower income communities like mine and we look forward to working with the new NJDEP commissioner to make it so!”
NEW JERSEY FUTURE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR PETER KASABACH
“New Jersey Future congratulates Shawn LaTourette on his nomination for Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. His strong focus and support for climate change adaptation, combined with his understanding of the importance of water infrastructure will enable the department to accelerate its work in making New Jersey a more resilient and healthier state for all of our residents, especially those in historically overburdened communities, while also encouraging economic development in our urban areas and in the coastal and riverine places that are out of harm’s way.”
NEW JERSEY LEAGUE OF CONSERVATION VOTERS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR ED POTOSNAK
“Congratulations to Mr. LaTourette on his “new” role. He has had his sleeves rolled up over the past four years with bold actions like the development of the Energy Master Plan and other pro-conservation initiatives. “We look forward to working with Commissioner LaTourette to accomplish the Murphy administration’s goals of 100% clean energy by 2050, creating a post-COVID green jobs recovery, and fulfilling our commitment to environmental justice and helping overburdened communities of color.”
NEW JERSEY AUDUBON PRESIDENT ERIC STILES
“New Jersey Audubon congratulates Acting-Commissioner LaTourette and looks forward to collaborating on the advancement of science-based wildlife and habitat conservation and environmental protection. We are committed to supporting the Acting-Commissioner’s vision to address the existential threat of climate change and secure the right of all people to enjoy a high quality, accessible and welcoming experience in our state’s natural and recreation areas.”
ATTORNEY GENERAL GURBIR GREWAL
“New Jersey has taken a leading role in the legal fight for environmental justice, and that’s because of the close working relationship between our office and Shawn’s team at DEP. “We share a total commitment to holding polluters accountable and making them pay for the destruction they caused. As we continue this fight for clean air and clean water, I couldn’t ask for a better partner than Shawn.”