Holiday water main breaks in Edison, Wayne, and Essex Fells have caused significant disruptions for residents. In Edison, a water main break on December 26, 2024, left some residents without water. The break occurred near Benjamin Franklin Elementary School, causing water to pool in the streets and leading to low or no water pressure for South Edison residents. This incident follows another water main break on Route 27 in Edison just days earlier.
In Wayne, residents have also experienced water service interruptions due to a water main break on Southway Drive. The break has affected several neighborhoods, including Southway Drive, Bluebell Drive, Wisteria Drive, and Columbine Drive. Emergency crews have been working tirelessly to restore services, but residents have been advised to prepare for potential water service anomalies.
Essex Fells has not been spared either, with water main breaks causing similar issues for its residents. The city’s water department has been actively responding to the situation, but full restoration of services is still pending.
For the latest updates on the situation, residents are encouraged to check their local water utility websites and follow their social media channels. Additionally, local news outlets such as News 12 New Jersey are providing ongoing coverage and updates on the progress of repairs.
”The Paris-based agency blamed power plants for the growing use of coal over the last year, particularly in China which consumes 30% more of the polluting fuel than the rest of the world put together.
In developed economies such as the US and the European Union coal power generation has already passed its peak, the IEA said, and is forecast to fall by 5% and 12% respectively this year.”
1 minutewhen union labor and contractors come together for one common goal anything can be accomplished elect the engineers
1:08
1 minute, 8 secondslabor employer Cooperative we are the Labor Management fund for the international Union of operating engineers local 825 from Kingston to
1:17
1 minute, 17 secondsCape May and from River to River we’re creating the opportunities that spawn real Economic Development and building
1:25
1 minute, 25 secondsthe future as members of the business community and Chambers of Commerce we create the Partnerships needed to
1:31
1 minute, 31 secondscollaborate success as advocates we shape the public policy in local town halls and state houses that protect our
1:39
1 minute, 39 secondsmembers and generate possibilities we eliminate entry barriers that ensures our members are ready on day one for
1:46
1 minute, 46 secondswhatever work our contractors require and as industry innovators we develop Grant programs to help our contractors
1:54
1 minute, 54 secondscompete in underrepresented Market sectors this is what the 21st century organiz labor looks like this is elect
2:03
2 minutes, 3 secondsbuilding the infrastructure New York and Jersey relies
2:08
2 minutes, 8 seconds[Music]
Chapter 2: History of IUOE and Local 825
2:13
2 minutes, 13 secondson for more than 120 years our country and state have been built by strong
2:20
2 minutes, 20 secondsunion labor
2:33
2 minutes, 33 secondsheavy equipment operators known as Operating Engineers Built This Nation with skill determination and
2:42
2 minutes, 42 secondspride today the soaring skyscrapers are busy as
2:50
2 minutes, 50 seconds[Music]
2:52
2 minutes, 52 secondsBridges the energy grid to turn the lights on and the underground tunnels that
2:59
2 minutes, 59 secondsbring clean water are thanks to those hardworking men and women let’s learn a little more about how these skilled
3:07
3 minutes, 7 secondsconstruction leaders built the nation we know
3:11
3 minutes, 11 seconds[Music]
3:16
3 minutes, 16 secondstoday working conditions for construction and stationary workers in the late 1800s were at best
3:25
3 minutes, 25 secondsappalling pay wages for 60 to 90h hour work weeks were equally miserable benefits at that time were
3:33
3 minutes, 33 secondspractically unheard of in an effort to change those conditions 11 pioneering individuals met in Chicago on December
3:42
3 minutes, 42 seconds7th 1896 to form the national Union of steam Engineers of America the Forerunner of
3:51
3 minutes, 51 secondstoday’s iuoe in the early days they were known as the international Union of steam
4:00
4 minutesEngineers reflecting their unique ability to operate dangerous steam boilers and steam-driven construction
4:07
4 minutes, 7 secondsequipment popular at the turn of the century these skilled workers flocked to the West Coast as they were critical in
4:15
4 minutes, 15 secondsrebuilding San Francisco after it was leveled by the Great Earthquake of 1906
4:30
4 minutes, 30 secondsand in Central America they mve mountains to construct the Panama
4:35
4 minutes, 35 seconds[Music]
4:51
4 minutes, 51 secondsCanal in 1912 the union became known as the international Union of steam and Operating Engineers to Greater reflect
5:00
5 minutesthe impact and eventually replacement the combustion engines electric motors and hydraulic machinery would have on the
5:11
5 minutes, 11 seconds[Music]
5:15
5 minutes, 15 secondsindustry in 1920 New Jersey local 825 was formed as the organization progressed it
5:24
5 minutes, 24 secondsattracted workers from the public sector making it a truly diverse Trade union
5:31
5 minutes, 31 secondspassage of the Davis bacon Act of 1931 which guaranteed construction workers wage rates on federally financed
5:39
5 minutes, 39 secondsprojects helped the union weather the after effects of the Great Depression and maintain its
5:46
5 minutes, 46 seconds[Music]
5:54
5 minutes, 54 secondsprogress union workers continue to enjoy this protection even today they fought for the 8 hour day weathered
6:03
6 minutes, 3 secondsattacks on the labor movement and continued to work through the Great Depression building the Hoover
6:13
6 minutes, 13 secondsDam LaGuardia Airport the Triborough Bridge the Lincoln
6:22
6 minutes, 22 secondsTunnel and other New Deal projects of the 1940s and when the call came many iuoe
6:31
6 minutes, 31 secondsmembers became part of the US Navy CBS skilled construction men who carved out bases airfields and roads in the war
6:39
6 minutes, 39 secondszones of Europe and later Korea and Vietnam here in New Jersey iuoe local
6:47
6 minutes, 47 seconds825 Operating Engineers built the state’s most memorable and important locations New Jersey Turnpike and
6:56
6 minutes, 56 secondsParkway Newark Airport the meand sports complex Rutter’s Rowan and Princeton
7:05
7 minutes, 5 secondsuniversities and the casinos of Atlantic City today local 825 operating engineers
7:14
7 minutes, 14 secondsbuild and maintain the roads and bridges in tunnels and rails that carry you home the gas lines that you heat and cook
7:22
7 minutes, 22 secondswith and the electrical grid that powers Modern Life and they clean up super on sites
7:30
7 minutes, 30 secondsand other remnants of our industrial past today our nation and state stand at a
7:36
7 minutes, 36 secondsCrossroads and local 825 is
7:46
7 minutes, 46 secondsready local a25 Operating Engineers are the best trained in the industry with two high-tech training
7:54
7 minutes, 54 secondscenters to make sure that members are up to date on all of the latest construction technology and safety
8:01
8 minutes, 1 secondprotocols and in 2022 local 825 formed a partnership with Hudson County Community
8:09
8 minutes, 9 secondsCollege in the earn and learn program apprentices earn credits towards an associate of applied science degree as
8:16
8 minutes, 16 secondsthey learn their
8:20
8 minutes, 20 seconds[Music]
8:22
8 minutes, 22 secondstrade local 825 is ready to upgrade our energy grid expanding and reinforcing existing
8:30
8 minutes, 30 secondsparts of the grid to make them more resilient to extreme weather while plugging in new sources of energy and as New Jersey’s population
8:39
8 minutes, 39 secondsand business activity continues to grow local 825 is ready to build the 21st century Transportation
8:47
8 minutes, 47 secondsinfrastructure that ties it all together this includes bringing existing Ro tunnels and bridges up to Modern
8:55
8 minutes, 55 secondssafety standards and building new infrastructure structure that reflects the new ways that we live work and play
9:04
9 minutes, 4 secondsiuoe local 825 Operating Engineers built our past maintain our present and are ready
9:13
9 minutes, 13 secondsto build our future
9:18
9 minutes, 18 seconds[Music]
9:44
9 minutes, 44 secondshey
9:49
9 minutes, 49 seconds[Music]
9:55
9 minutes, 55 seconds[Music]
10:06
10 minutes, 6 seconds[Applause]
10:09
10 minutes, 9 seconds[Music]
10:20
10 minutes, 20 seconds[Music]
Chapter 3: Interview with Local 825 Business Manager Greg Lalevee
10:23
10 minutes, 23 secondshello hello hello everyone welcome to the first segment of our infrastructure matters a public affairs programming High highlighting infrastructure and
10:30
10 minutes, 30 secondsprojects that impact our region told through the lens of local 825 of the international Union of operating engineers I’m Tom berson your host and
10:38
10 minutes, 38 secondsI’m speaking with Greg lvy the business manager of local 825 Greg welcome to the show thanks Tom it’s good to be here
10:46
10 minutes, 46 secondsGreg tell the viewers a little bit about your background how long you’ve been with 825 and how long you’ve been with the current position sure as
10:54
10 minutes, 54 secondsunbelievable as this is to say uh this is my 40th year as a member local 825
11:01
11 minutes, 1 secondI’ve been the business manager since 2010 uh so I’ve seen a lot of projects a lot of infr infrastructure projects uh
11:09
11 minutes, 9 secondscome and go over that time so that makes a great point and it it’s funny we were talking about this pre-show if if I was talking to the head of the electricians
11:18
11 minutes, 18 secondsor the Carpenters or the plumbers everyone would have an immediate idea of what you do you say Operating Engineers it sounds impressive but I don’t know
11:26
11 minutes, 26 secondsthat anybody gets a full detail of what you do talk a little bit about some of the projects you’re working on and the different sectors you impact sure it is
11:34
11 minutes, 34 secondsimpressive because we are the men and women who operate the construction equipment the cranes excavators
11:41
11 minutes, 41 secondsbulldozers uh all of that those things you see out on infrastructure projects and what we like to say about Operating
11:48
11 minutes, 48 secondsEngineers is We Touch every phase of your life so you you wake up in the morning you know to your alarm clock we’ve worked on the electrical grid
11:57
11 minutes, 57 secondswhether it’s generating or Distributing the power we’ve worked on the Water Systems when you turn your shower on uh installing the water systems or building
12:06
12 minutes, 6 secondsthe treatment plants we’ve done the same with the gas infrastructure whether it’s Mainline transmission or the distribution Network through our
12:14
12 minutes, 14 secondsneighborhoods we’ve built the roads and the bridges all through the state uh from the turnpike and Parkway all the
12:21
12 minutes, 21 secondsway down to Maple Street and Anytown New Jersey and we’ve worked on everything in between we’ve replenished our beaches
12:29
12 minutes, 29 secondsafter storms uh we’ve built the stadiums uh we’ve built the Arenas so we get involved in almost every facet of
12:37
12 minutes, 37 secondseverybody’s life so you’ve talked about big and small and everywhere in between I’m going to go bigger and bigger and bigger and talk about that little
12:45
12 minutes, 45 secondsGateway project that we’re going to do um talk about how the operating engineers will be involved in all of
12:52
12 minutes, 52 secondsthat sure well Gateway is a program a large program on the Northeast Corridor of amtr so there’s several things that
13:00
13 minutescomprise Gateway uh one of those components is the portal Bridge which is under construction right now more little
13:07
13 minutes, 7 secondsmore than halfway done uh at Peak we had 95 Operating Engineers working there so
13:15
13 minutes, 15 secondsthere were 95 people running some piece of equipment or uh working maintaining as a mechanic some piece of equipment uh
13:24
13 minutes, 24 secondswhen you think about the other people on that job there are hundreds of Craftsmen working on that bridge uh of course
13:31
13 minutes, 31 secondsGateway most people think of the tunnel the tunnel uh for the h under the Hudson River are in process if you will there
13:40
13 minutes, 40 secondsis a utility relocation being done on the New Jersey side there’s probably a dozen of our members there there is a
13:48
13 minutes, 48 secondssoil Improvement being done in the middle of the Hudson River uh with Operating Engineers from New York uh
13:55
13 minutes, 55 secondsthere is a shaft being dug on the Hudson on the New York side of the Hudson River and somewhere around
14:02
14 minutes, 2 secondsDecember we anticipate a tunnel Boring Machine going in uh where the utility relocation is happening now on Tunnell
14:11
14 minutes, 11 secondsAvenue and starting to drill uh from that spot up right onto the border of
14:17
14 minutes, 17 secondswehawken and Hoboken where another shaft uh will be dug and the first tunnel boring machine will get going when it’s
14:26
14 minutes, 26 secondsinto the ground about 12 to 1400 F feet uh then a second tunnel will be because the Gateway tunnels are two passages
14:34
14 minutes, 34 secondsunder the Hudson River um and then the the Sawtooth bridge in NK is also part of the broader Gateway program that’s in
14:44
14 minutes, 44 secondsthe bidding pipeline also the engineering P piece has been given out so lots of things Gateway uh going on in
14:51
14 minutes, 51 secondsNew Jersey right now so it’s Tom berson the editor of R NJ I’m talking with Greg lvy the business manager of Local 82 5
14:59
14 minutes, 59 secondsand I want to address an issue about unions everybody knows unions we’re a proud Union state but I think there’s one misconception and Greg you and I
15:07
15 minutes, 7 secondshave talked about this for years a lot of people see unions and see that they’re battling and they’re fighting against business and government whether
15:14
15 minutes, 14 secondsit’s local or state but I know 825 and all the other unions in the state are working together to build the economy talk about how unions are a part of the
15:24
15 minutes, 24 secondseconomic puzzle that’s helping the state grow for for those of us that are in constru construction a healthy economy
15:31
15 minutes, 31 secondsis a healthy construction business so we we will align ourselves with any and all businesses uh to try to make sure that
15:39
15 minutes, 39 secondswe have the right kind of environment that businesses want to locate here uh to have the right Transportation networks to have the right uh level of
15:47
15 minutes, 47 secondsenergy available so that companies will want to come here uh this is what we do because a construction and the economy
15:56
15 minutes, 56 secondsmove hand inand so we need a Rob robust economy we we will work with the utility companies we will work with major
16:03
16 minutes, 3 secondscorporations uh we really don’t fight with anybody per say uh we try to find Partnerships and collaborations uh
16:11
16 minutes, 11 secondsbecause at the end of the day for for us the only fight to have is to make sure that our 7,800 members go to work earn a
16:20
16 minutes, 20 secondsliving support their families and become part of the economy they’re the ones who buy homes who take their uh families on
16:29
16 minutes, 29 secondsvacation who put their kids through school who will spend just about every dollar they earn and dump it back into
16:37
16 minutes, 37 secondsthe economy so let’s talk about the Wii and let’s talk about the 7800 another misconception and for a long time it was
16:44
16 minutes, 44 secondstrue when you thought of union workers they look like you and me um but as we move forward and and even today more
16:51
16 minutes, 51 secondswomen than ever more people of color I know the recruitment to expand the union to make it represent what our state is has been growing in 825 has been a
17:00
17 minutesleader of that even with a really unique program I’m going to have you talk about with Hudson community college but talk about how you’re growing your membership and why that’s
17:08
17 minutes, 8 secondsimportant well it’s it’s important to open the door to the middle class for everybody we go to co uh Career Fairs
17:16
17 minutes, 16 secondsall over the state at high schools uh educating people about what we do how we do it uh the great part about that is we
17:25
17 minutes, 25 secondsdo connect when we open up our Apprentice program we do it in an online portal our applications are usually gone
17:33
17 minutes, 33 secondsin a matter of minutes uh it’s a competitive process to get here people want to do it and at the end of the day
17:41
17 minutes, 41 secondsto your point we do want to reflect the state that we live in that’s healthy for everybody the agreement that you had
17:48
17 minutes, 48 secondswith Hudson Community College where you’re helping the the union Engineers train better and it’s something I think you’re going to try to work around the state give us a little more detail with
17:57
17 minutes, 57 secondsthat sure we call we call at preparing the operating engineer of the future so we run heavy equipment and much as we
18:04
18 minutes, 4 secondssee all equipment in almost every phase of our life it’s becoming more automated there’s processes that are becoming
18:12
18 minutes, 12 secondsmachine control there’s GPS control on some of the excavators bulldozers and other equipment there’s even some
18:20
18 minutes, 20 secondsautonomous control that’s being experimented with so we believe that we have to up our level of Education the
18:27
18 minutes, 27 secondsidea of learning by the seat of your pants which is what you know our forefathers did pretty much what I did
18:35
18 minutes, 35 secondsis really no longer an option um the work isn’t going away the work is transforming and we want to make sure
18:42
18 minutes, 42 secondsthat our members can transform with it at the end of the day you can have a GPS control on a machine but somebody has to
18:51
18 minutes, 51 secondsprogram it and that somebody in our view should also be somebody that knows how to run the machine that will be a
18:58
18 minutes, 58 secondsproductive employee and getting back to how we collaborate with companies you know we’re all about productivity and
19:06
19 minutes, 6 secondsmaking sure that the contractors we work for are always in a competitive Advantage uh so we’re training the
19:14
19 minutes, 14 secondsoperating engineer the future and we did a partnership with Hudson Community College where our students got a certain
19:22
19 minutes, 22 secondsnumber of credits uh about their apprenticeship work and then they did traditional classroom work and there’s
19:29
19 minutes, 29 secondsnothing wrong with an operating engineer in construction uh knowing how to write a report and taking basic English
19:36
19 minutes, 36 secondsknowing basic math it’s out there on the job site knowing how to interact with people um and we had 22 of our
19:45
19 minutes, 45 secondsapprentices graduate last year with an associates degree in technical studies and we continue to try to figure out and
19:53
19 minutes, 53 secondswork on uh answering the question of what is a good curriculum for an operat engineer to have that will serve the
20:01
20 minutes, 1 secondbusinesses that we work for and I know that 825 is is ahead of the curve on that other unions in New Jersey have contacted you about the program and I
20:09
20 minutes, 9 secondsthink you’ve heard from from others around the country this really is a new way to train people and and hats off to you guys for leading the charge I
20:17
20 minutes, 17 secondsappreciate that and you know again we see this as the operating engineer of the future that’s how we’ve pointed it uh that’s where all of the work is going
20:25
20 minutes, 25 secondsto that’s where the Machinery is moving to is into a world of um you know higher
20:33
20 minutes, 33 secondstechnological skills and we’re going to be there to meet that future Operating Engineers are the men
20:40
20 minutes, 40 secondsand women who move mountains and build New Jersey responsible for our Region’s tallest building constructing our modern
20:48
20 minutes, 48 secondsenergy grid cleaning up our environment replenishing our beaches cleaning up at Ground Zero building our next great
20:56
20 minutes, 56 secondsTransportation corridor and training the next generation of skill builders headquartered in Springfield iuoe local
21:05
21 minutes, 5 seconds825 represents more than 88,200 heavy equipment operators mechanics and surveyors in the construction industry
21:13
21 minutes, 13 secondsas well as stationary Engineers who work in operations and maintenance buildings and Industrial complexes across New Jersey and in the lower Hudson Valley of
21:21
21 minutes, 21 secondsNew York with our training and skill we do the job right on time and on budget
21:29
21 minutes, 29 secondswe keep the lights on and the trains running we build the bridges and pave the roads we protect the shore we
21:37
21 minutes, 37 secondsrebuild our cities we clean up the past and we build our tomorrow operating engineers local
21:45
21 minutes, 45 seconds825 better building begins here it’s Tom bers I’m the editor of Ro
21:55
21 minutes, 55 secondsNJ I’m with Greg lvy the business manager for local 820 of the international Union of operating engineers uh this is our infrastructure
22:03
22 minutes, 3 secondsmatters we’re talking about all things unions in the state of New Jersey and we’re talking just a few weeks after the presidential election so let’s let’s dig
22:12
22 minutes, 12 secondsinto that what does it mean to have an election on at the federal level how does that impact what you’re doing do you see it right away give us some some
22:20
22 minutes, 20 secondsreaction to the presidential election well the good thing about infrastructure is it is neither Democrat nor Republican
22:28
22 minutes, 28 secondsboth both sides want that road built or the bridge redone any member of Congress wants to have the the road or Bridge
22:36
22 minutes, 36 secondsredone in his or her district and they’ll fight to bring those funds home uh most infrastructure bills when they
22:43
22 minutes, 43 secondsgo through Congress earn a robust amount of votes you with 435 members of
22:49
22 minutes, 49 secondsCongress It’s Not Unusual to see 380 yes votes on an infrastructure program for
22:56
22 minutes, 56 secondsclean water or roads or any thing um in the infrastructure space so it’s agnostic politically which is great U it
23:05
23 minutes, 5 secondscomes down really to priorities what what are the priorities of that Administration or that president or
23:12
23 minutes, 12 secondsGovernor uh where are they going to lean in uh what are they going to seek to do how are they going to look to fund it um
23:21
23 minutes, 21 secondsand being in the middle of those conversations for us is absolutely crucial because again we want to help
23:28
23 minutes, 28 secondsspeed projects from an Administration to the street to keep our members working so we’re back into that collaborative
23:36
23 minutes, 36 secondseffort uh where we don’t want to fight with the government we want to sit there and be uh you know an asset a helping hand a collaborator and move things
23:45
23 minutes, 45 secondsalong as to whatever their priorities are uh you know again as I’ve said to people you know New Jersey did a big uh
23:54
23 minutes, 54 secondspush for offshore winds I’m a crane operator I’m just just uh you know curious from my past I would love to be
24:02
24 minutes, 2 secondsout there and set a windmill out in the middle of the ocean um at the same time if that’s not what a current
24:10
24 minutes, 10 secondsgovernment’s priorities are and it’s going to go into more President elect Trump has said drill baby drill um our
24:19
24 minutes, 19 secondsmembers run drills too so we’re agnostic into what we’re actually operating on the other end uh we want to help
24:26
24 minutes, 26 secondswhomever reach their goals uh really where we lean in with governments and may have some friction
24:33
24 minutes, 33 secondsis if policy takes it uh takes things too far one way or the other um for instance in the space of energy you know
24:42
24 minutes, 42 secondswe believe in a balance uh not giving out to just one piece and we know New Jersey is a congested State we have more
24:51
24 minutes, 51 secondsand more people we have a large demand for energy businesses have a large demand for energy if you’re going to
24:58
24 minutes, 58 secondssite a factory almost half your cost is in energy so we need good solid energy policy uh that balances all types of
25:08
25 minutes, 8 secondsgeneration so that we can move forward just as a state and be able to meet the demands that the people who live here are going to have you know another thing
25:17
25 minutes, 17 secondsthat you need is funding uh in this state we have the transportation trust fund which has has been in the news a lot in the last couple of years tell me
25:25
25 minutes, 25 secondshow that’s working for you is it is it doing all that it can be and are you happy with it the transportation trust fund has been getting better uh back in
25:34
25 minutes, 34 seconds2016 we had a big fight it meant raising the gas tax not anything anybody wanted
25:40
25 minutes, 40 secondsto do uh we had just over years of political gamesmanship by both sides gotten ourselves into a corner um and
25:49
25 minutes, 49 secondsluckily with a democratic legislature and Republican Governor uh we found a way to reach compromise and move forward
25:57
25 minutes, 57 secondsuh the the current Administration in New Jersey uh with Governor Murphy he’s found a way to refinance bonds and free
26:05
26 minutes, 5 secondsmoney up so things are moving in the right direction at the transportation trust fund uh which is a good thing um
26:13
26 minutes, 13 secondsbecause that funds you know our Highway program in in connection with Federal matching funds uh the transportation
26:21
26 minutes, 21 secondstrust fund bill that passed back in 2016 also greatly increased the amount
26:28
26 minutes, 28 secondsof money that went to local governments so that towns and counties uh could have a little more say in improving their roads so all of that’s moving in the
26:37
26 minutes, 37 secondsright direction right now so I’m going to give you one more moving in the direction for the next 12 months you’ve got an incoming Federal Administration
26:45
26 minutes, 45 secondsand because of the way our election cycle works you have an outgoing New Jersey Administration one last year Governor Murphy which means that there’s
26:53
26 minutes, 53 secondsgoing to be huge for the next Governor how does that impact what you’re doing the next year I mean you can’t be constantly watching all of these races
27:00
27 minutesand this and that this is but this is an interesting transition here you got to be watching it tell us a little bit about that well in New Jersey we have
27:08
27 minutes, 8 secondsthe distinction of every year being election year so so some States run all of their elections in even numbered
27:15
27 minutes, 15 secondsyears so it coincides with the federal elections uh New Jersey doesn’t do that so we always have to have our eye on
27:23
27 minutes, 23 secondsshifting Sands and and who’s around uh but as we watch you know now I think we’re at nine candidates for Governor um
27:32
27 minutes, 32 secondsyou know we’re going to be watching and and interacting with what you know they’re putting forward as their plans in the transportation infrastructure
27:41
27 minutes, 41 secondsspace um because that’s really uh how our members are going to get to work and in the end we’re going to find ourselves
27:49
27 minutes, 49 secondsuh supportive of those who are trying to move projects and move them smartly we we don’t come from the world of destroy
27:58
27 minutes, 58 secondsit all and just build you know what most of our Rank and file members are hunters and fishermen we we have no interest at
28:06
28 minutes, 6 secondsall in destroying the environment in fact on the environmental side of things we find our members engaged very often
28:15
28 minutes, 15 secondsin hazardous material cleanup where we’re improving the environment and improving the land so we’re going to look for those candidates that have a
28:23
28 minutes, 23 secondsplan um and and what we believe is a smart one for for smart growth you’ve been watching our
28:31
28 minutes, 31 secondsinfrastructure matters a public affairs programming highlighting infrastructure and projects that impact our region told through the lens of local 825 of the
28:39
28 minutes, 39 secondsinternational Union of operating engineers Greg lvy thank you for joining us thanks Tom I appreciate
28:46
28 minutes, 46 seconds[Music]
28:51
28 minutes, 51 secondsit nestled along in Old Cory Lake in Central Jersey The Soaring cranes of the local 825 Training Center can be seen
29:01
29 minutes, 1 secondfrom the New Jersey Turnpike this high-tech facility is where Union operating engineers go to
29:07
29 minutes, 7 secondslearn how to safely operate cranes dozers and other high-powered heavy equipment seen at construction sites
29:15
29 minutes, 15 secondsaround the state inside they have construction equipment simulators welding simulators and
29:23
29 minutes, 23 secondsclassrooms outside they have instructors teaching them the fine points of their trade next time you’re on the New Jersey
29:31
29 minutes, 31 secondsTurnpike between exits 88 and 9 look for us on the southbound side local 825
29:39
29 minutes, 39 secondsOperating Engineers the best trained operating engineers in New Jersey
How does one of the busiest train stations in the world – over 500,000 passengers* in hundreds of trains each day operated by four major rail networks – handle it all? This video by the Regional Plan Association gives us some insight into the complex operations that happen each day.
* That’s more daily passengers than either the Lincoln or Holland Tunnels but fewer than the George Washington Bridge.
On November 2, 2023, a gas line rupture led to a massive explosion that leveled a multi-family home, injuring 15 people, including five first responders. The explosion occurred when a contractor, J. Mullen & Sons Inc., struck an unmarked gas line while performing routine maintenance work for Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corporation.
The blast was so powerful that it caused the collapse of four homes, trapping residents under the rubble and igniting a fire that quickly spread through the neighborhood. Among the injured were eight adults and two children, with several in critical condition. The victims included a mother and her two young sons, who suffered severe burns and were airlifted to Westchester Medical Center. First responders also sustained injuries, primarily from smoke inhalation and minor burns.
In the immediate aftermath of the explosion, the community rallied together to support those affected. Local businesses, schools, and neighbors provided meals, shelter, and other necessities to the displaced families. Fundraising initiatives, such as GoFundMe pages and collection sites for clothing and gift cards, were established to assist the victims.
The New York State Department of Public Service launched a thorough investigation to determine the exact cause of the explosion and whether any regulations or procedures were violated. Preliminary findings indicated that the gas line struck by the contractor was not marked, which contributed to the incident. The investigation revealed that Central Hudson’s contractors were missing key information from a project binder provided by the utility company.
The New York State Public Service Commission initiated an enforcement case against Central Hudson, citing multiple safety violations that allegedly contributed to the explosion. The commission’s report highlighted that Central Hudson had prior knowledge of the residence’s active natural gas service line. As a result, the utility company faced potential civil penalties and other remedies for their alleged violations.
A year after the explosion, the investigation is still ongoing. Multiple questions remain about the exact cause of the explosion and the accountability of those involved. Who was operating the machinery that struck the gas line? What kind of training and experience did they have? How could this accident have been avoided? The final report and any potential enforcement actions will depend on the review of the evidence and the company’s response.
In the meantime, the community continues to rally around those affected by the explosion. Several of the injured individuals have been treated and released from the hospital, while others remain in critical condition. Efforts to raise funds and provide assistance to the displaced families are ongoing, with various initiatives such as GoFundMe pages and collection sites for clothing and gift cards.
“The full bridge [closure] will take place from Jan. 13 to about Jan. 27. The shutdown is needed so work crews can permanently repair a deteriorated structural connection that was discovered this summer in the bridge’s second span from the Pennsylvania side.
The upcoming full bridge closure is scheduled to occur during what are often the two coldest weeks of the year. Accordingly, crossings by motor vehicles and pedestrians are at their lowest volumes during this annual period. The full bridge closure also would occur after the winter holiday season ends.”
Global shipping is responsible for about 3% of annual CO2 emissions. The industry’s reliance on heavy fuel oil contributes significantly to climate change, air pollution, and health risks. Transitioning to low-carbon fuels and technologies is crucial for achieving net-zero emissions. Hydrogen fuel, with its potential for zero carbon emissions, is emerging as a promising fuel source.
Hydrogen fuel is a clean energy carrier that can be produced through various methods, the most common being electrolysis of water. When used in fuel cells, hydrogen combines with oxygen to produce electricity, emitting only water vapor and heat as byproducts. This makes hydrogen an attractive option for decarbonizing the shipping industry, which accounts for nearly one quarter of all carbon emissions from the world’s transportation sector.
Several of the world’s largest container shipping lines, such as Maersk, CMA CGM, and MSC, are actively exploring hydrogen fuel and other alternatives to meet their commitments to net-zero emissions by 2050. Hydrogen-powered vessels offer the high energy intensity needed to propel enormous ocean-going ships, making it a viable option for long-haul maritime transport.
Benefits and Challenges
The primary benefit of hydrogen fuel is its potential for zero carbon emissions, which aligns with ambitious climate targets. Green hydrogen, produced using renewable sources like wind or solar, offers the greatest potential reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, hydrogen fuel cells can be retrofitted into existing ships, making the transition more feasible for the industry. Infrastructure development is also a major hurdle though, as the shipping industry requires significant advancements in hydrogen production, storage, and transportation technologies.
What about Electric?
Battery-powered ships offer a promising solution but face their own challenges. Battery technology is not yet advanced enough for long voyages, and safety concerns like thermal runaway pose risks. Additionally, the high cost and limited lifecycle of batteries make them less feasible for widespread adoption. And, like hydrogen, ports would need significant infrastructure upgrades.
“Electric battery packs and shoreside power are another zero-emission option for the global shipping industry. Given current infrastructure, electric options are only realistic for short-sea trades or small domestic ferries.“
Juan Garcia Valencia and Amy Swift, “The Shipping Industry Won’t Meet its Decarbonization Goals without Investing More in Low-carbon Fuels”, World Research Institute
Impact on New Jersey
New Jersey is well-positioned to benefit from the adoption of hydrogen fuel in shipping and logistics. The Port of New York and New Jersey is the largest port on the East Coast and the third largest in the country, employing around 200,000 people directly and indirectly. The adoption of hydrogen fuel could significantly reduce emissions from shipping activities in the region, contributing to cleaner air and a healthier environment.
The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) recognizes the potential of hydrogen as a clean energy source. The state is actively exploring the use of hydrogen fuel cells in various applications, including transportation and industrial machinery. The New Jersey Fuel Cell Task Force has identified hydrogen and fuel cell technology as key components of the state’s clean energy goals, with the potential to generate $54 million in revenue and create 200 jobs.
Governor Murphy has emphasized the importance of clean hydrogen technology in expanding New Jersey’s diverse clean energy portfolio. The state aims to complement intermittent sources of electricity, such as offshore wind and solar, with hydrogen fuel cells. This approach not only supports the state’s climate goals but also enhances energy security and economic growth.
And New Jersey and its neighboring states, Pennsylvania and Delaware, are set to benefit from the Biden-Harris administration’s $7 billion investment in clean hydrogen hubs. This funding, part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, aims to accelerate the production and use of clean hydrogen, reduce carbon emissions, and create high-quality jobs. The Mid-Atlantic hub, serving these states, will produce hydrogen from renewable energy and nuclear power, supporting the region’s transition to a cleaner energy future. This initiative is expected to generate significant economic opportunities and help meet the U.S. climate goals.
Conclusion
Hydrogen fuel holds great promise for the shipping and logistics industry, offering a pathway to zero carbon emissions and a sustainable future. While challenges remain, the potential benefits for New Jersey are significant.
“Germany, Europe’s largest economy, has not seen significant growth in the past two years. On Friday, the economy recorded 0.1 percent growth from July to September, but it is forecast to contract over the entire year. And economists do not expect to see a return to growth in 2025, unless a new government can make significant changes quickly. … High energy prices, a complex bureaucracy, aging public infrastructure and geopolitical developments have hurt Germany’s export industry. Political paralysis under the previous government exacerbated the situation.”
“According to DelDOT, a delay with the National Environmental Policy Act process due to tidal and navigation issues caused the project’s expected completion date to be pushed back. The bridge’s replacement was initially planned for Spring 2025, but is now expected to commence in early 2026.”
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