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Senate Judiciary Committee advances Ed Potasnik for DEP commissioner after pledge to speed permits and tackle park cleanup
Summary
The Senate Judiciary Committee released Acting DEP Commissioner Ed Potasnik's nomination after his remarks on Operation FAST, hiring plans, Liberty State Park cleanup and efforts to address remediation backlogs and environmental justice concerns.
Chairman Stack and the Senate Judiciary Committee on Thursday advanced the nomination of Edward (Ed) Potasnik to serve as commissioner of the Department of Environmental Protection, following a confirmation appearance in which Potasnik outlined plans to streamline permitting and prioritize site cleanups.
Potasnik, who identified himself as the acting commissioner and cited prior work as a teacher, contractor and executive director of the New Jersey League of Conservation Voters, told the panel he would pursue “Operation FAST” — an initiative he described as “facilitated approvals for sustainable transformation” to shorten permitting timelines while maintaining environmental standards. He said the department plans to recruit nearly 50 staff, modernize its IT backbone, and digitize grants and permit portals to reduce backlogs.
Why it matters: Potasnik framed his agenda around reducing wait times for businesses and communities while continuing remediation and environmental justice work. He cited a parks maintenance backlog he estimated at about $1.5 billion and said the agency currently spends approximately $550 million a year on parks and infrastructure, adding that new financing and outside partnerships will be needed.
On Liberty State Park, Potasnik said the DEP has contracted with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for interior contamination work and noted restoration and future active-recreation plans will proceed after cleanup. “We can provide a report” on money allocated and a timetable, he told the committee when asked for a status update.
Members pressed him on site-remediation oversight and the role of the LSRP (licensed site remediation professional) program. Senator Smith summarized the LSRP association’s complaint that DEP is moving back to a “command-and-control” approach; Potasnik replied he had met with the association and pledged to “work with the staff to identify how we can make some adjustments” and to restore trust while ensuring cleanups protect public health.
Potasnik also described DEP actions on forest management, drought-related fire risk and lead service line replacement. He said the state’s water bank has invested about $430 million since 2019 on lead service-line work and noted recent EPA awards will supplement state efforts to replace lines and support low‑income households.
Business and environmental stakeholders testified in support. Ray Cantor of the New Jersey Business and Industry Association said the business community welcomes more accessible DEP leadership and quicker permit tracking; several civil-rights and environmental groups also expressed interest in stronger enforcement on contamination and environmental justice.
Formal action: After questions from multiple senators, the committee moved and by roll call released Potasnik’s nomination to the next stage of consideration.
What’s next: The nomination now moves on to further Senate consideration. The committee noted staff will supply members with follow-up briefings and a report on Liberty State Park funding and timelines.
