Shawn LaTourette's Avatar

Shawn LaTourette

@shawnlatourette.com

twindad, lawyer, clean air & water policy pro, NJ’s environment chief @dep.nj.gov. Environmental law prof at @law.rutgers.edu. Never stop fighting for a cleaner, kinder, cooler 🌎

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19.11.2024
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Latest posts by Shawn LaTourette @shawnlatourette.com

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The critical work accomplished between 2018 and 2026 has enabled people across New Jersey to drink safer water, breathe healthier air, enjoy cleaner lands and experience green, open and recreational spaces.

During this time, DEP markedly increased investments in (1/4)

12.01.2026 17:26 πŸ‘ 4 πŸ” 3 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0
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New Jersey is highly vulnerable to the impacts of the intensifying climate crisis, including wildfires, chronic flooding, sea level rise, coastal erosion, and increasingly more frequent and intense storms.

DEP’s response? Mitigate climate impacts ⬇️ and strengthen resilience πŸ’ͺ. (1/3)

13.01.2026 18:53 πŸ‘ 4 πŸ” 3 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0
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Each year, New Jersey welcomes more than 17 million visitors to its 41 state parks, 11 state forests, five recreation areas and over 50 historic sites.

Throughout the Murphy Administration, numerous investments have been made to expand access and preserve these open spaces for years to come. (1/4)

14.01.2026 18:32 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 2 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0
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Marking a milestone 50th anniversary year & the culmination of nearly 5 years of public engagement on revitalizing Liberty State Park, Commissioner LaTourette released a series of videos yesterday to highlight the groundbreaking of projects outlined in the park’s master plan.

πŸ”—News bit.ly/4jKTYkv

15.01.2026 18:01 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0
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Cleaner technology ➑️ improved air quality and a stable environment 🌱

βš–οΈ As of last year, New Jersey has invested over $205 million in more than 384 projects across the state, with over 80% of those proceeds used to advance environmental justice. (1/5)

15.01.2026 18:39 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0
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Available now: DEP’s 2025 Scientific Report on Climate Change 🌎🌱

The 2025 Scientific Report on Climate Change summarizes the current state of knowledge regarding the effects of climate change on New Jersey’s environment. This report identifies and presents the best available science and (1/3)

15.01.2026 19:02 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 1
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DEP and New Jersey Board of Public Utilities today announced the launch of a groundbreaking Eco-Hub pilot program to demonstrate the potential benefits of electric vehicle bi-directional charging to help power the electric grid and contribute to lower energy rates. ⚑️

πŸ”—News release at bit.ly/49VXpRU

15.01.2026 22:23 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0
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Yesterday, Commissioner @shawnlatur.bsky.social announced the availability of a new online tool to help residents, local governments, nonprofit organizations & businesses easily identify funding opportunities for projects that mitigate greenhouse gas emissions, reduce costs, and improve air quality.

08.10.2025 15:27 πŸ‘ 3 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0
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Yesterday Commissioner @shawnlatur.bsky.social welcomed attendees to the 2025 PFAS Summit at NJIT, highlighting the state’s legacy of environmental leadership and commitment to tackling emerging contaminants head-on.

10.10.2025 14:52 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0
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That’s a wrap on the 2025 PFAS Summit! πŸ‘

Deputy Commissioner Kati Angarone closed the event with a reminder that addressing PFAS contamination takes partnership across government, industry, academia and communities. Together we are making real strides toward a cleaner and safer New Jersey πŸ’§

10.10.2025 21:09 πŸ‘ 5 πŸ” 2 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0
Managing CSOs in a Changing Climate: CCMUA & DEP Partner to Protect Public Health
Managing CSOs in a Changing Climate: CCMUA & DEP Partner to Protect Public Health YouTube video by New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection

Managing CSOs in a Changing Climate

Combined sewer systems are shared underground pipe networks that direct both wastewater and stormwater to a Sewage Treatment Plant (STP). Under normal conditions, all the wastewater and stormwater are transported to a STP for treatment.

25.09.2025 15:38 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0
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Commissioner @shawnlatur.bsky.social joined Hoboken Mayor @ravibhalla.bsky.social to discuss how the city is building resilience within its communities.

25.09.2025 21:01 πŸ‘ 3 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0
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Today, Commissioner @shawnlatur.bsky.social spoke at DEP’s 2025 Climate Week Kickoff Event and the fifth β€œOur Water’s Worth It” Awards, which honored The Watershed Institute for its leadership in promoting and advancing regional stormwater management.

22.09.2025 21:28 πŸ‘ 6 πŸ” 2 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0
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Commissioner @shawnlatur.bsky.social also joined students and faculty at @tcnj.bsky.social this afternoon to discuss building a cleaner, healthier, and more resilient New Jersey. 🏫🌱

#NJClimateWeek2025 #ClimateWeekNYC

22.09.2025 21:28 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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Along the Jersey Shore, swells from #HurricaneErin and local wind swells are increasing riptides and dangerous surf conditions, which are expected to peak this Thursday.

To keep visitors safe, @dep.nj.gov is suspending swimming at Island Beach State Park until further notice.

19.08.2025 15:49 πŸ‘ 5 πŸ” 3 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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Finally saw #Superman, thoroughly enjoyed it, and totally confused Krypto for our wild Enzo the whole time.

16.08.2025 17:34 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

From last night on @njspotlightnews.org β€” our interview with @dep.nj.gov Commissioner @shawnlatur.bsky.social on this landmark settlement www.njspotlightnews.org/video/nj-rea...

05.08.2025 11:12 πŸ‘ 3 πŸ” 4 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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AG Platkin, DEP Commissioner LaTourette: Landmark Settlement with DuPont Valued at Over $2 Billion - New Jersey Office of Attorney General Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin and Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Commissioner Shawn M. LaTourette announced a groundbreaking environmental settlement, valued at over $2 billion, to remedy long-standing contamination stemming from PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), also known as β€œforever chemicals,” as well as other pollutants originating from four industrial sites. It is the largest environmental settlement ever achieved by a single state.

Historic day for accountability as New Jersey reaches the largest environmental settlement in State historyβ€”over $2 Billion toward improving & protecting public health and our environment from PFAS and other pollution discharged by DuPont and its progeny companies.

www.njoag.gov/ag-platkin-d...

04.08.2025 17:45 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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I’m a state leader and gay. Let’s stand up against new wave of anti-LGBTQ+ rights | Opinion 'Pride is our resolve to continue opening hearts, changing minds, and securing laws that ensure lived equality for all LGBTQ+ people.'

On this 56th anniversary of Stonewall, and amidst this difficult moment for LGBTQ+ people across America, I am reminded that Pride is not owedβ€”it is owing.

Let’s continue opening hearts, changing minds, and securing laws that ensure lived equality for all LBGTQ+ people.

www.nj.com/opinion/2025...

29.06.2025 20:19 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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N.J. officials target 12-acre β€˜illegal junkyard’ in environmental crackdown N.J. officials announced enforcement actions targeting illegal junkyards, waste sites, and industrial operations in Kearny, Hamilton, Woodbridge, and Middlesex Borough.

It's simple really (or should be): clean air, land, and waterβ€”for ALL.

Our public & environmental health should never depend on the numbers in our zip codes or paychecks.

Many thanks to the @dep.nj.gov pros working to further the promise of environmental justice.

www.nj.com/news/2025/05...

05.05.2025 17:29 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0
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Black bear den work with the NJDEP Fish & Wildlife team this week. Kept these 2+mo old cubs safe and warm while our wildlife biologists checked in on mom as part of the NJ’s Black Bear Research & Management Project.

NJ’s black bear population is strong & healthy thanks to @newjerseydep.bsky.social!

22.03.2025 19:18 πŸ‘ 3 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 1
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Almost all wildfires are human-caused. Here’s what we can do to reduce fire risk:

🚭 do not discard cigarettes on the ground
πŸͺ΅ carefully extinguish fireplace & wood stove embers
πŸ›» keep trailer chains from dragging & sparking
πŸ”₯get NJ Wildfire SMART at bit.ly/njwfSMART

14.03.2025 19:35 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
https://whyy.org/articles/wildfire-risks-new-jersey-del-drought/

We all must take precautions to reduce wildfire risk as dry conditions persist across New Jersey.

So far in 2025, the NJDEP Forest Fire Service has responded to 356+ wildfires that have burned 1,240+ acres. That’s an increase of 266% over the same time last year.

t.co/vkgqMGgnxX

14.03.2025 19:35 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0
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New Jersey is still in a drought.

As spring arrives, it is important that we all conserve water.

Follow these simple steps to help make sure New Jersey has strong water supplies heading into summer.

14.03.2025 17:15 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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Junkyard fire in Camden, New Jersey causes large clouds of black smoke Firefighters are continuing to battle a junkyard fire in Camden, New Jersey, Friday evening, according to Camden County emergency officials.

Our @newjerseydep.bsky.social emergency team is onsite and supporting response to the EMR metal recycling facility fire alongside Camden City & County first responders.

Residents are encouraged to shelter in place with windows closed until the fire is fully extinguished.

22.02.2025 03:02 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

Our @newjerseydep.bsky.social emergency team is onsite and supporting response to the EMR metal recycling facility fire alongside Camden City & County. Residents are encouraged to shelter in place with windows closed until the fire is fully extinguished.

22.02.2025 02:59 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

Our @newjerseydep.bsky.social emergency team is onsite and supporting response to the EMR metal recycling facility fire alongside Camden City & County. Residents are encouraged to shelter in place with windows closed until the fire is fully extinguished.

22.02.2025 02:59 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0