News : POLITICO New Jersey Playbook: Holtec wants more tax credits, grants

Friday, September 16, 2022

POLITICO New Jersey Playbook: Holtec wants more tax credits, grants

Sep 16, 2022

Presented by NextEra Energy Transmission

Good Friday morning!

Holtec, the Camden-based nuclear equipment company, has seen plenty of controversy in New Jersey. But it's apparently not very politically radioactive.

The politically connected company, which includes on its board South Jersey Democratic power broker George Norcross and former Republican U.S. Rep. Jim Saxton (as a director emeritus), is working to build new, small nuclear reactors both on its Camden campus and a yet-to-be determined location. And it's thinking about locating one at Oyster Creek. So it approached Senate Environment and Energy Committee Chair Bob Smith (D-Middlesex), who last month introduced a bill that would make the company eligible for major tax incentives and grants to build them. How much? I can't calculate that, but my very rough guess is somewhere in the hundreds of millions.

That's on top of the $260 million in tax incentives Holtec got back in 2014, which were held up by the EDA in 2019 after the company failed to disclose on its application that it had been temporarily disbarred from working with the Tennessee Valley Authority over a bribery scandal. Holtec won a lawsuit to release the funds, but the EDA is appealing.

Smith told POLITICO that the bill he introduced should be seen as a "placeholder," as it's too generous to Holtec (it appears to have been tailored exactly to the company's plans). He said he wants to include provisions for competition as well. But the fact that the company is still able to get this kind of legislation introduced shows that, despite everything, it still has juice.

Read more about it here.

DAYS SINCE MURPHY REFUSED TO SAY WHETHER HIS WIFE'S NON-PROFIT SHOULD DISCLOSE DONORS: 222

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HAPPY BIRTHDAY — Attorney Primo Cruz, GOP activist Anthony Del Pellegrino, Attorney Luke Hornblower. Saturday for WPCNJ's Lisa Kaado, Former Roxbury councilmember Dan Kline , Veolia's Kevin Watsey. Sunday for Chesilhurst Mayor Jamila Bremmer, AFL-CIO's Eric Richard.

WHERE'S MURPHY? No public schedule.

QUOTE OF THE DAY: "Why do you think my personal belief has anything to do with this? … Your attempt to get my personal view – I understand why it might be exciting and inflaming, but what would be the benefit of knowing my personal view, when I said I would represent the district?" — 11th District GOP congressional candidate Paul DeGroot, who said he supported overturning Roe v. Wade but wants New Jersey to still allow abortion, when pressed by NJ Spotlight News' Julie Daurio on his personal views on abortion.

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WHAT TRENTON MADE

HOUSING — "Murphy conditionally vetoes bill to overhaul home foreclosure. What he wants changed ," by The Record's Ashley Balcerzak: "Gov. Phil Murphy conditionally vetoed a proposed overhaul of New Jersey's home foreclosure process Thursday, rejecting the bill the Legislature sent him and asking them to rework language dealing with caps to auction prices, properties that don't sell at sheriff's sales and other tweaks … New Jersey families experiencing foreclosure, or their next of kin, would have the first shot when the property goes up for auction, or the right of first refusal at the bid price under the bill, A793/S1427, called the "Community Wealth Preservation Program." The legislation aimed to even the playing field between large investors flipping foreclosed properties on the one side, and lower-income bidders and community nonprofits preserving affordable housing on the other. In the largest change, Murphy struck out a section of the bill that said the upset price — or minimum price accepted by a bank — must be capped at no higher than 50% of the outstanding mortgage, interest, fees or other costs owed … The New Jersey Bankers Association worried the provision could be exploited, with borrowers purposefully defaulting on their mortgages to have a family member or next of kin bid on the home for half of what they owe."

—" How can NJ build more affordable housing? Mayors and advocates clash on views"

TOMMY NO LONGER WORKS ON THE DOCKS — " Jobs in NJ erase pandemic losses — but here's how economy changed," by NJ 101.5's Michael Symons: " Employment in New Jersey has finally fully recovered from the losses suffered during the economic shutdowns imposed in the first months of the pandemic, according to preliminary estimates released by the state Thursday. Estimates produced by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics report a record-high number of jobs in the state in August for the first time in two and a half years – 4,241,200, a gain of 15,400 from a month earlier and 12,800 above the previous high set in February 2020 … While total employment has recovered, few sectors are back to exactly where they were in February 2020, as the economy evolves: Total private-sector employment is up by 346,000, or 1%. The number of goods-producing jobs is down 10,500, or 2.5%, to 406,500. Construction jobs are down 5,500, or 3.4%, to 158,500."

—"Essex-Hudson Greenway advocates laud NJ purchase of abandoned rail line to create 9-mile park"

—"NJ renews tax fight over working from home"

—" Murphy signs bill to raise veteran benefit payments"

—Ciattarelli: "Parents who care about their kids' education are 'extremists'? That's what the NJEA thinks"

—Steinberg: "In a post-Trump era, a Governor Jon Bramnick could dislodge the NJGOP from the cult of maga"

—" Sauickie takes Assembly seat as Democrats pick his opponent"

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BIDEN TIME

—"N.J. has expanded voting rights. But it still hasn't taken steps to protect elections from claims of fraud"

—"Payne faces low-key GOP challenger in 10th District"

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LOCAL

TRENTON FAKES — "Two dead people signed Trenton council candidate petition, lawsuit alleges ," by New Jersey Globe's David Wildstein: "Desiree Clark died six years ago, but still managed to sign a nominating petition for Evangeline Ugorji to seek the South Ward seat on the Trenton City Council. Clark is one of two deceased voters to sign Ugorji's petition, which her opponent alleges to be riddled with problems, including just 13 valid signatures out of 147 submitted. She needs 68 signatures to get on the November ballot. A lawsuit filed by Jenna Figueroa Kettenburg this morning asks a judge to toss Ugorji off the ballot … According to the court filing, 49 of the people who signed Ugorji's petitions are not registered to vote and an additional 29 do not live in the South Ward. Additional deficiencies include 49 instances of pre-printed names and addresses, which Kettenburg's attorney, Scott Salmon, claims were written by the Ugorji. 'The entire petition should be stricken for fraud,' Salmon wrote in his brief."

—Parker: "Vaughn complaint not a showstopper for Trenton election"

NOTHING SAYS 'AMICABLE' QUITE LIKE $2 MILLION — "Rahway pays $2M to settle former mayor's 'campaign of relentless sexual harassment' suit," by MyCentralJersey's Suzanne Russell: "A $2 million settlement has been reached in a lawsuit filed by a city worker against the city and former Mayor Samson Steinman who allegedly engaged in a 'campaign of relentless sexual harassment' of her … Last week Rolong's attorney Gregory Noble and attorney Matthew Tavares, who represented the city, signed court papers announcing the lawsuit had been amicably resolved and agreed that it should be dismissed … According to the lawsuit, over the course of Rolong's city employment, 'Steinman made comments to her that she should dress in sexy costumes for Halloween events, a sexy elf during 'winter wonderland' on two occasions and that he liked the way her body looked in certain dresses she had worn, which he suggested she wear again.' … During the November 2015 League of Municipalities Conference in Atlantic City, Steinman became intoxicated one night and Rolong helped him to his hotel room and after she said goodnight, Steinman allegedly pushed her up against a wall in the room and forcibly kissed her, the lawsuit alleged. He loosened his grasp when someone knocked on the door and Rolong was able to escape, the lawsuit says."

THE MISFIT — " Lodi principal named acting superintendent in wake of top official's arrest," by The Record's Nicholas Katzban and Liam Quinn: "Just over two weeks after Lodi school superintendent Douglas Petty was charged with simple assault, the board of education appointed an acting superintendent Wednesday night, district Business Administrator Nick Cipriano said. Cipriano would not comment on whether Petty was placed on administrative leave. Petty was arrested after allegedly punching a woman in the head in Seaside Heights on Aug. 28. On Wednesday night, the Lodi Board of Education held an emergency meeting to take "formal action" though the notice did not specify what that action would be. During the meeting board members voted on placing an unnamed employee on administrative leave, according to the livestream posted on YouTube. Due to poor audio quality, the result of the vote was not audible. Cipriano, who was at the meeting, confirmed Thursday that Lodi High School Principal Frank D'Amico was named acting superintendent Wednesday night, but declined to 'comment on personnel.'"

MICROPEDAGOGY — "Ocean City explains sex ed standards to parents, promises to teach them 'as little as possible' ," by the Press of Atlantic City's Bill Barlow: "With controversy over state guidelines on health education seeming to continue to build, about 30 parents heard details from school staff on how the standards will be implemented in the classroom. The answer: The district will implement them as little as possible."

IN UNRELATED NEWS, MURPHY HAS TAKEN THE HCDO LINE IN NOT CALLING FOR AMY DEGISE TO RESIGN — " HCDO gave $410k to N.J. Dem committee to bolster re-election of Murphy, other Dems," by Hudson County View's John Heinis: "The Hudson County Democratic Organization gave the New Jersey State Democratic Committee $410,000 in a four-and-a-half month period to bolster Gov. Phil Murphy's (D) re-election, along with other blue candidates, campaign finance records show. According to the NJ ELEC database, the HCDO has only made seven donations to the NJDSC in their history, dating back to October 10th, 1989, for a total of $72,511.76. Despite lackluster fundraising for years, the HCDO was getting maxed out donations of $37,000 from groups such as the New Jersey State PBA, the New York Hotels Trade Council, Nancy Pelosi's re-election campaign, and even the Fair Fight Inc. PAC linked to Georgia gubernatorial hopeful Stacey Abrams. Rebovich Institute of New Jersey Politics Director Micah Rasmussen called this a classic case of 'wheeling'"

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—" After parental pushback over state sex ed standards, Ringwood adopts new curriculum"

—" Court dismisses $25M lawsuit filed by Palisades Park mayor. Here's why"

—"Ron Tappan, Hopatcong administrator, picked as Sussex County administrator"

—"Gloucester commissioner pushes prosecutor to complete probe of dog's death"

—" Morristown OKs $3M post office purchase − but includes a 6-month escape clause"

—"Ocean County comes to the rescue as Shore towns face hefty beach replenishment bills "

—"A Camden high-rise is known for 'decrepit' conditions. Will a new owner do better?"

—"NJEA officials gather in support of Pleasantville diverse-curriculum leader"

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EVERYTHING ELSE

LEGAL BILLS SPADEA — "Morris psychologist sues polarizing NJ radio host over comments on children wearing masks," by The Record's Kaitlyn Kanzler: " Conservative radio host Bill Spadea faces potential legal trouble after a Morris child psychologist brought on as a guest to speak about masking children accused him of defamation after Spadea called him a 'child abuser' and 'crackpot' during one of his broadcasts. Steven Tobias, a child psychologist and director and owner of the Center for Child and Family Development, filed a lawsuit on Sept. 12 in Morris County Superior Court against Spadea, NJ 101.5 FM and Townsquare Media, the radio station's parent company … According to the lawsuit, Tobias … was invited by another radio host, David Matthau, to provide guidance on acclimating children to wearing masks and was told he wouldn't be asked whether or not children should be masked and that it wouldn't be politicized by the station, the lawsuit stated … 'Following Tobais' appearances, Spadea allegedly disparaged the psychologist, saying he should be indicted for child abuse, is complicit in child abuse because of masking and that parents should teach their children to "reject crackpots like Steven Tobias."

HOW CAN YOU TRUST A HOSPITAL THAT DOESN'T EVEN KNOW WHERE IT IS? — " Nurses at [Hackensack Meridian Jersey Shore] say they wouldn't feel safe being treated at their own facility," by NJ Advance Media's Spencer Ken t: "More than half the union nurses at a New Jersey hospital wouldn't feel safe being treated at their own facility. An overwhelming majority said the hospital is not a good place to work. And the nurses say they frequently face crushing workloads that put "patients and staff at risk." Those are just a few of the accusations leveled against Hackensack Meridian Jersey Shore University Medical Center in a withering new report released Thursday by Health Professionals and Allied Employees, the state's largest union representing health care workers."

WEED OVERDOSE DEATHS STILL ZERO — "Alcohol-related hospitalizations and deaths soared in NJ amid COVID pandemic," by The Record's Scott Fallon: "The number of New Jerseyans hospitalized for alcohol-related liver disease jumped 19% from 2019 to 2021 while the number of deaths skyrocketed from 357 to 444, says a report released Thursday by the New Jersey Hospital Association … New Jersey saw 3,046 and 3,125 drug overdose deaths in 2020 and 2021, respectively — the two highest totals since overdose deaths were first tracked 10 years ago. Meanwhile, demand for mental health services across the state is at an all-time high, with many waiting weeks or even months for a first appointment … In New Jersey's hospitals, 13,188 people were admitted with alcohol-related liver disease last year, compared with 11,039 in 2019"

—"N.J.'s first major weed consumer conference comes to Edison this weekend"

—" How much PCB pollution is in NJ's part of the Hudson River? We're going to find out"

—"Communicating by thought: How first-of-its-kind brain implant may help paralyzed NJ man "

—"Where is Dulce Alavez? Family frozen in time 3 years into one of N.J.'s biggest mysteries"

—"See Jennifer Coolidge in sunny teaser for 'The Watcher' on Netflix. N.J. true story has darker premise"

—" 'Outraged' protestors to march after reported plea deal in murder of N.J. teen"

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NextEra Energy didn't become the world's largest generator of wind and solar power overnight. We've been building and operating large-scale energy projects across North America for decades and powering New Jersey for nearly a quarter-century. Our first solar farm in the Garden State was built in West Deptford. Yet, our contributions have gone far deeper—from counseling local businesses on how to reach clean energy goals and operating battery storage facilities to providing dozens of solar sites on buildings from Cape May to High Point and working to help New Jersey reach its offshore wind goals. We know how to get big, complex projects done on time and on budget. We power homes, neighborhoods, and entire cities, all while putting customers first, prioritizing the environment, and working with local communities to create jobs and limit disruptions. NextEra Energy Transmission is committed to empowering a greener New Jersey.