Politics
Mukherji Bills Backing Hoboken, Jersey City Water Projects Pass NJ Senate
The New Jersey Senate passed two bills sponsored by state Sen. Raj Mukherji that would authorize more than $160 million in financing for clean water and drinking water projects in Hoboken and Jersey City through the New Jersey Infrastructure Bank.
The Infrastructure Bank, established in 1985, partners with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection to provide low-interest loans to help communities fund critical water, sewer, and environmental infrastructure improvements.
“Jersey City and Hoboken residents are tired of water main breaks and rising utility costs,” Mukherji said. “As environmental protection initiatives continue to be slashed on the federal level, it is absolutely essential that our infrastructure is designed to protect New Jerseyans from escalating environmental threats.”
Mukherji said financing infrastructure projects in coastal cities like Hoboken and Jersey City is critical to protecting residents from intensifying storms, flooding, and aging water and sewer systems.
The first bill, S-4220, would authorize the Infrastructure Bank to make low-interest long-term loans to local government units or privately-owned water companies for water infrastructure projects across New Jersey, including in Hoboken and Jersey City. The funding supports efforts to enhance and protect ground and surface water resources and ensure the safety of drinking water supplies.
The second bill, S-4217, would authorize the Infrastructure Bank to expend up to $13 million in loans for Community Hazard Assistance Mitigation projects in four municipalities, including Jersey City.
The Community Hazard Assistance Mitigation Program was established in 2023 to implement the federal Safeguarding Tomorrow through Ongoing Risk Mitigation Act and provides financing for projects that reduce damage from severe storms and flooding.
