Governor-elect Mikie Sherrill announced last week that Ed Potosnak will be her
nominee to be the next Commissioner of the Department of Environmental Protection.
For the N.J. business community, it is one of the most important roles in the
administration.
Here’s why: As commissioner, Potosnak not only will lead the state’s efforts to become
more flood resilient, mitigate harmful PFAS chemicals, remediate contaminated sites all
while protecting the state’s air, land and water — he’ll also be a key leader in the
administration’s efforts to cut through red tape, develop clear timelines for permitting
and foster economic growth.
Potosnak, who is leaving his role as the head of the advocacy group, the League of
Conservation Voters, certainly will have a learning curve. Implementation of ideas is far
harder than simply advocating for them.
Potosnak will find that out soon enough.
Sherrill is expected to make a big energy announcement in the opening moments of her
administration. Whether that means a push for more natural gas — the most logical
solution to the state’s generation needs — certainly will stir debate.
As will the REAL rules, which will impact building at the Shore.
These will be tough conversations. Expect Potosnak to have them with facts, not just
philosophy. At least that’s what I found when interviewing him about the controversy
surrounding the dying whales on the Jersey Shore.
At a time when so many wanted to blame the off-shore wind industry, seemingly to push
their energy agenda, Potosnak said increased boat traffic was the culprit.
“Every one of them has been found to be a boat,” Potosnak said during that March of
2023 interview. “Boats are the No. 1 threat. The second is abandoned fishing nets. And
the third is plastic pollution.”
Potosnak said then that he was outspoken on the issue because it spoke to two bigger
environmental concerns:
Climate change: “The greatest threat to whales is climate change, because the water
that they live in, in the ocean, is under tremendous stress and threat because it’s getting
warmer. We’re seeing coral reefs that are being completely bleached and whole
ecosystems that are collapsing — and marine life are facing severe threats because of
that collapse.”
Misinformation: Fossil fuel proponents have created a misinformation picture for
residents that’s not even close to accurate, he told me at the time.
If he sounds like a teacher, there’s a reason why: He was one.
Potosnak started his work career as a high school chemistry teacher, doing so for about
a decade. He currently works as lecturer at Rutgers — and he previously served as a
board of education member in Franklin.
Potosnak currently is co-chair of the New Jersey Keep It Green Coalition, New Jersey
state lead for the Coalition for the Delaware River Watershed — and was appointed by
Gov. Phil Murphy to the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission.
Organizations aside, he also is the former owner of a contractor business. Simply put,
he knows of the red tape he’ll attempt to cut.
All of this background helped move him to the top of Sherrill’s wish list.
“Ed Potosnak is a proven leader who will be critical in our efforts to preserve New
Jersey’s protect residents from flooding and extreme weather and remediate
contaminated sites,” she said. “He will bring his experience as a licensed contractor to
the department to prioritize cutting through red tape and reducing permitting times.
“Ed has a strong track record of bringing people to the table to develop solutions that
work best for the communities they serve. I look forward to working with Ed, energy and
business professionals, and advocates to protect our environment while growing our
economy.”
Dennis Toft, chair of the environmental law group at CSG Law and widely regarded as one of the most influential environmental attorneys in the state, praised the selection.
Potosnak diverse background helps set him apart, Toft said.
“I think Ed is an excellent choice,” he said. “His experience with the League of Conservation Voters gives him a real understanding of the issues and challenges we face in New Jersey.
“That experience, coupled with his experience as a contractor and businessman, gives him a sense for how hard it is for the regulated community to meet all of their obligations and get the permits that they need.”
Potosnak said he’s eager to get started.
“Throughout her career, Governor-elect Sherrill has delivered for New Jerseyans on key
environmental issues like flood mitigation, cleaning up toxic PFAS and Brownfields
sites, and investing in cheap, clean energy like solar,” he said. “As a licensed
contractor, I understand the struggles that business owners face while trying to get state
permits, and as Commissioner, I look forward to streamlining that process so we’re
ensuring government is being responsive to job creators while protecting our state’s
natural resources.”
“For DEP, we look forward to working toward a good balance of environmental
protection, while recognizing the need to not overregulate and or prohibit economic
development. As the Gov.-elect campaigned on, we anticipate a more robust and rapid
direction in terms of ‘getting to yes’ on permitting as it relates to building housing and
energy infrastructure.
“We also look forward to our continued partnership with NJEDA under Evan Weiss. We
will continue to support the office to help drive New Jersey’s economy through job
creation, investment and innovation. With New Jersey currently ranked second worst in
the nation in unemployment rate, there is some work to be done, and we can’t wait to
get started with the new administration.”
