>>> FUNDING FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS PROVIDED BY THE NEW JERSEY MEMBERS ASSOCIATION, MAKING PUBLIC SCHOOLS GREAT FOR EVERY CHILD.

RWV BARNABAS HEALTH, LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER AND OR TERRORISM ALERT DESK, CREATED TO THE COMMISSION OF A LONG-TERM SUSTAINABLE CLEAN ENERGY FUTURE FOR NEW JERSEY.

>> FROM NJTVS THIS IS NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS BRIANA VANNOZZI.

>> GOOD EVENING, THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

I'M BRIANA VANNOZZI.

WE BEGIN WITH BREAKING NEWS.

TEN DAYS AFTER REGULATORS RECOMMEND ADD NATIONWIDE PAUSE, JOHNSON&JOHNSON VACCINE IS BEING GIVEN THE GREEN LIGHT TO RESUME INOCULATIONS A.CDC ADVISORY PANEL MET TODAY TOP CONTINUE THE INVESTIGATION OF THE SHOTS AND RARE REPORTS OF BLOOD CLOTTINGS, REPORTING NINE NEW CASES OF THE CLOTTING DISORDER BRINGING THE CASE TOTE TOLL 15 AND DEATHS AMONG AMERICAN WHO'S RECEIVEED THE SHOTS.

THEY SAY THE BENEFITS STALE OUT REIGHS THE LOW RISK AND RECOMMENDED ADDING WARNING LABEL ABOUT THE UNCOMMON BUT DANGEROUS POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECT.

THE CDC RECOMMENDED THOSE WHO ARE PREGNANT GET THE VACCINE.

6.4 MILLION TOTAL DOSE HAVE BEEN ADMINISTER AND NEARLY 2.7 MILLION HAVE BEEN FULLY VACCINATED.

THOUSANDS OF THE J&J DOSES ARE SITTING IN FRIDGES ACROSS NEW JERSEY AND COULD BE DEPLOYED IMMEDIATELY.

STATE HEALTH LEADERS SAYS EVERY SHOT HELPS THE CASES.

ROUGHLY 2400 NEW POSITIVE TESTS REPORTED TODAY AND 27 LIVES LOST.

BUT NO VACCINE IS 100% EFFECTIVE ACTIVE AND NEW JERSEY IS SEEING SMALL NUMBER OF RARE BREAK THROUGH COVID-19 INFECTIONS IN PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN FULLY VACCINATED AGAINST THE VIRUS.

BRENDA FLANAGAN REPORTS IT'S WHY HERD IMMUNITY IS SO WERE IMPORTANT.

>> I DIDN'T THINK IT WAS GOING TO HAPPEN.

I GOT THE FIRST SHOT, I'M OKAY.

I DIDN'T THINK I'D GET COVID.

ARE RYAN GOT IT ABOUT TEN DAYS AFTER THE FIRST SHOT OF THE COVID VACCINE.

HE STARTED FEELING SICK AND A POSITIVE COVID TEST CONFIRMED WHAT THE SYMPTOMS SHOWED.

I STARTED FEELING TIGHTNESS IN MY CHEST AND STARTED LIKE COUGHING AND STUFF.

I COULD NOT TASTE, COULD NOT SMELL.

YEAH, IT WASN'T FUN.

>> Reporter: PFIZER IS GENERALLY 52% EFFECTIVE TEN DAYS WITHIN THE FIRST DOSE AND HE ATE AT A RESTAURANT THAT WAS CROWDED WITH HIS PARTIALLY VACCINATED MOM AND SISTER.

ALL THREE GOT COVID.

NOW HE'S WARNING EVERYBODY.

>> YOU GET THE FEELING THAT YOU'RE BUILDING IMMUNITY AND YOU GO INTO A HIGH RISK SITUATION.

>> PUBLIC PERCEPTION IS ALWAYS A LITTLE BIT OUT OF SYNC WITH THE SCIENCE THERE.

IS SO MUCH FATIGUE AFFILIATED WITH THE PANDEMIC.

ARE KORY SAYS DATA SHOWS PFIZER AND MODERNA VACCINES CONFIRM 94 TO 95% IMMUNITY AND J&J, 72%.

>> NONE OF THEM ARE 100% EFFECTIVE.

WE'RE SEEING THE VARIANTS COMING IN AND IT'S BERT TO BE CAUTIOUS.

>> THERE WILL ALWAYS BE INDIVIDUALS WHO WILL EITHER BREAK THROUGH OR THE VACCINE IS NOT AS EFFECTIVE IN THAT INDIVIDUAL AS IT IS IN OTHERS IN THE VAST MAJORITY OF OTHERS.

>> Reporter: DR. DAVID SAYS MERIDIAN HEALTH CHECK ADD DATABASE OF 23,000 VACCINATED STAFFERS AND FOUND 126 POST VACCINE CASES OF THE DISEASE.

90% OF THEM OCCURRED AFTER A FIRST DOSE OF PFIZER OR MODERNA VACCINES, A DOZEN AFTER TWO FULL DOSES.

THEY FOUND COVID VARIANTS.

NOBODY DIED, BUT A FEW ENDED UP IN THE HOSPITAL.

WE'RE DOING THE DRUG VACCINATION, MASKS, EVEN THOUGH YOU MAY BE PROTECTED, YOU ARE A POTENTIAL THREAT TO THOSE WHO ARE EITHER UNVACCINATED OR DON'T RESPOND THAT WELL TO VACCINATION AND ARE A HIGH RISK.

>> Reporter: NATIONALLY THE CDC REPORTS THAT OUT OF 75 MILLION VACCINATED BY MID APRIL, ABOUT 5800 BRECK THROUGH CASES NATIONWIDE.

396 HOSPITALIZED, 74 DIED.

HEALTH EXPERTS SUSPECT THAT IS AN UNDER COUNT BECAUSE THOSE WITH MILDER CASES MAY NOT GET TESTED.

DR. JUDITH LIGHTFOOT DESCRIBES WHERE THREE OUT OF FOUR WOMEN TESTED POSITIVE AFTER THEY WENT ON AN UNMASKED ROAD TRIP TO NEW YORK CITY IN HOBOKEN.

>> THEY WENT TO RESTAURANTS, DRINKING AT BAR, DINNER IN ANOTHER AREA.

SHE WAS SURPRISED WHEN SHE HAD THE SYMPTOMS.

>> Reporter: THEIR CASES WERE NOT SEVERE.

STATE HEALTH OFFICIALS ARE COMPARING POSITIVE COVID TESTS TO VACCINATION RECORDS TO GET A FULLER PICTURE OF THE PROBLEM.

RYAN RECOVERED, BUT DOCTORS WARNED HIM TO HOLD OFF ON GETTING SECOND DOSE FOR A FEW MONTHS.

HE'LL GET TESTED FOR ANTIBODIES FIRST.

BRENDA FLANAGAN, NJPOT LIGHT NEWS.

SIX OF THE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE UNIVERSITIES WILL REQUIRE STUDENTS TO BE VACCINATED BEFORE THE SMALL SEMESTER -- FALL SEMESTER.

EXCEPTIONS WILL BE MADE FOR MEDICAL AND RELIGIOUS REASONS.

THE MANDATE APPLIES TO ALL UNDERGRAD, GRADUATE AND INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS.

SO FAR ONLY STEVENS INCLUDES STAFF IN THE REQUIREMENT.

FDU OFFICIALS ARE CONSIDERING, PRINCETON AND NJCR, HAVE NOT TAKEN A STANCE AND MONTCLAIR AND RUTGERS SAYS THEY CANNOT MANDATE FOR STAFF.

>> BIDEN HAS NOMINATED SUE FULTON TO SERVE AS ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF DEFENSE FOR MAN POWER AND RESERVE AFFAIRS.

FULTON IS A WEST POINT GRADUATE, PART OF THE FIRST CLASS TO ADMIT WOMEN AND SERVED IN THE ARMY FOR SIX YEARS.

SHE HAS SERVED IN THE TOP OFFICIAL SINCE 2018 AND HAS FACED FIERCE CRITICISM FOR THE AGENCY'S HANDLING OF BACKLOGS AND PROBLEMS CREATED BY THE PANDEMIC INCLUDING INFECTIONS AMONG STAFF THAT LED TO MONTHS OF FRUSTRATIONINGS FOR CUSTOMERS.

GOVERNOR MURPHY CALLED FULTON A TRAILBLAZER WITH THE SKILLS TO EMPOWER THE MEN AND WOMEN IN UNIFORM.

NO WORD ON WHEN SHE'LL START.

TURN TO A SHOW OF BIPARTISAN SUPPORT IN THE U.S. SENATE IN DIRECT RESPONSE TO THE WAVE OF REPRESENT VIOLENCE TO ASIAN AMERICANS.

THEY APPROVED LEGISLATION TO COMBAT DISCRIMINATION AND VIOLENCE DIRECTED AT THE ASIAN COMMUNITIES.

THOSE ATTACKS SURGED DURING PANDEMIC.

LAWMAKERS APPROVED THE HATE CRIMES ACT IN A 94-1 VOTE.

IT DIRECTS THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE TO EXPEDITE THE REVIEW OF THE HATE CRIMES, IMPROVES THE PROCESS TO REPORT THEM AND ALLOW THEM DONE ON LOIN AND ENCOURAGING STATES TO CREATE HOTLINES.

THE BILL NOW GOES TO THE HOUSE AND APPEARS TO BE GAINING WIDE SUPPORT AMONG A TYPICALLY DIVIDED CONGRESS.

>> THE PUBLIC GOT A CHANCE TO WEIGH IN ON THE ACALATHES USE MARIJUANA INDUSTRY FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE THE STATE MADE IT LEGAL.

THE REGULATORY COMMISSION HELD A SECOND MEETING THURSDAY GIVING CONSTITUENT AS CHANCE TO WEIGH IN.

THE COMMITTEE HAS A FOUR MONTH DEADLINE TO GET THE INDUSTRY READY.

MOST OF THE QUESTIONS ABOUT WHAT IT WILL LOOK LIKE REMAIN UNANSWERED.

WE BELIEVE OUR APPLICATION HAS TO BE ONE OF THE STRONGEST.

WE'RE 70% MINORITY OWNED.

WE HAVE A MEDICAL STAFF THAT IS ONE OF THE BEST IN THE WORLD.

WE HAVE THE SUPPORT OF THE MAYOR OF ORANGE WHERE OUR LOCATION WILL BE SET UP.

>> Reporter: NEW YORK POLICE OFFICER LEVI HOLMES DECIDED TO ENTER THE MARIJUANA BUSINESS TWO YEARS AGO.

>> I HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH MARIJUANA REALLY.

I NEVER SMOKED IT OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT, BUT THE SOCIAL JUSTICE PIECE OF IT EXCITED ME.

HIS COMPANY, 93 ID, I APPLIED FOR A LICENSE FOR MEDICAL MARIJUANA TO GROW, PROCESS AND HAVE A DISPENSARY.

NOW HE'S LOOKING TO GET IN ON THE RECREATIONAL SIDE.

HE IS PAYING $20,000 IN RENT FOR A SPACE HELP CAN'T USE UNTIL HE GETS HIS MEDICAL LICENSE.

>> WE ARE $500,000 IN DEBT AS A COMPANY BECAUSE A PART OF THE APPLICATION PROCESS IS YOU HAD TO BUY A LOCATION, SECURE THE LOCATION BEFORE YOU APPLIED.

>> Reporter: THE FATHER OF FOUR WAS LOOKING FOR ANSWERS AS THE REGULATORY COMMISSION MET FOR THE SECOND TIME.

HE WAS HOPING TO FIND OUT WHEN HE'D GET HIS MEDICAL LICENSE SO THEY CAN START THAT PART OF THE BUSINESS WHICH HE BELIEVES WILL POSITION HIM BETTER FOR THE RECREATIONAL LICENSE.

THEY WERE TALKING ABOUT HOW THEY EAR GOING TO MONITOR THE BUSINESS, DO QUALITY CONTROL AND INSPECT HE PLANTS.

ARE UNFORTUNATELY, HE SAID HE DIDN'T GET AN ANSWER ON THE ISSUE CAUSING HIM STRESS.

>> THE AT LEAST WE WOULD'VE KNOWN WE COULD STOP THE BLEEDING IF WE KNEW WE WOULDN'T GET THE LICENSE.

>> WE ALREADY HAVE THE FRAMEWORK FOR WHAT WE CAN GIVE.

>> Reporter: ALTERNATIVE TREATMENT CENTERS ARE ALSO PLAYING THE WAITING GAME, BUT THEY'RE A LITTLE AHEAD.

THE CEO SAYS THEY'VE BEEN CULTIVATING ANDY TRIBUTEING THE MEDICAL MARIJUANA SINCE 2018 SO THEY'RE READY TO TAKE ON THE RECOLLECT NATIONAL MARKET ONCE THE REGULATIONS ARE IN PLACE.

>> ONCE THE REGULATIONS ARE SET THEN THE FOLLOWING ISSUANCE OF LICENSES WILL BE AVAILABLE.

AT THAT POINT WE CAN APPLY IMMEDIATELY TO SERVE THE ADULT USE MARKET.

THE CONDITION IS THAT WE SATISFIED THE CURRENT PATIENTS THAT ARE REGISTERED.

THEY'RE OPTIMISTIC BELIEVING IT COULD BE FULLY DEVELOPED IN SIX MONTHS OR LESS MEANING HE'LL BE OPEN FOR BUSINESS IF ALL GOES ACCORDING TO PLAN.

THE QUICKEST WAY FOR PRODUCT TO BE DISTRIBUTED TO THE ADULT USE MARKET IS VIA THE EXISTING ALTERNATIVE TREATMENT CENTERS.

>> CHIEF ON OPERATING OFFICER IS IN THIS PLANNING PHASE.

FOR THE PAST TWO YEARS SHE'S BEEN SELLING AND DISTRIBUTING CBD PRODUCTS ONLINE.

SHE WANTS TO ENTER THE SAME SPACE WITH RECREATIONAL MARIJUANA.

WHAT WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO DO IS ON OPERATE AS DOOR DASH.

ARE SHE AND HER BUSINESS PARTNER ARE RAISING CAPITOL TO PURCHASE VEHICLES, SECURITY AND TO SECURE A SITE IN A MUNICIPALITY THAT GIVES THEM A GREEN LIGHT.

>> THE MORE YOU PREPARE WHEN THE APPLICATION DOES RELEASE, THE BETTER POSITION YOU ARE IN BECAUSE YOU HAVE YOUR DUCKS IN A ROW.

ARE A COSTLY WAITING GAME WITH POTENTIAL FOR BIG PROFIT.

>> HERE IS A RANKING YOU DON'T WANT WHEN TALLYING YOUR BILLS.

BEING AMONG THE STATES WITH THE WORST DEBT IN THE NATION.

JUST HOW HIGH IS IT?

RHONDA THAT IS DETAILS IN THE TOP BUSINESS STORIES.

>> Reporter: WE ALWAYS HEAR ABOUT HOW MUCH DEBT THE STATE HAS AND TODAY WE GOT NEW NUMBERS ON THE EXACT AMOUNT.

THE DEPARTMENT RELEASEED THE DEBT REPORT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2020.

IT IS A TALLY OF EVERYTHING OWED FROM PENSION DEBT TO PAYMENTS DUE TO INVESTORS WHO HOLD NEW JERSEY'S BONDS.

JOHN CRUNCHED THE NUMBERS AND THEY'RE NOT TOO DIFFERENT FROM THE PRIOR YEAR, BUT A LOT OF MONEY OWED.

>> WHEN YOU ADD IT ALL TOGETHER WE'RE STILL UP OVER AROUND $200 BILLION WHICH IS AROUND FIVE TIMES THE SIZE OF THE STATE'S ANNUAL BUDGET.

I THINK TAXPAYERS WILL PROBABLY BE HAPPY TO SEE THAT THE NUMBERS ARE NOT GETTING DRAMATICALLY WORSE, BUT AT THE SAME TIME THEY'RE STILL REALLY BIG NUMBERS AND REFLECT A REALLY HEAVY LIABILITY FOR THE AVERAGE GERALD JEBAILY TAXPAYER NEW JERSEY TAXPAYER.

>> Reporter: YOU CAN READ JOHN'S STORY ON NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.ORG.

>> THE HIGH EXTENDED BENEFITS PROGRAM OFFERS AN EXTRA SEVEN WEEKS OF BENEFITS AND IT'S MADE AVAILABLE TO STATES WITH HIGH UNEMPLOYMENT RATES.

NEW JERSEY'S RATE TROPICAL DEPRESSION SO IT'S OUT OF THE PROGRAM, BUT THOSE WHO ARE COLLECTING UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS DO NOT HAVE TO WORRY.

CLAIMANTS DO NOT NEED TO TAKE ANY ACTION.

THEY WILL BE MOVED INTO ANOTHER FEDERAL PROGRAM THAT PROVIDES ADDITIONAL BENEFITS THROUGH SEPTEMBER 4th.

WITH COVID NUMBERS FALLING, STATE OFFICIALS ARE UP BEAT ABOUT NEW JERSEY'S TOURISM PROSPECTS THIS YEAR.

GOVERNOR MURPHY'S BUDGET INCLUDES INCREASE IN SPENDING FOR TOURISM.

THE DIRECTOR OF THE TOURISM SAY AS NEW MARKETING CAMPAIGN WILL LAUNCH SOON WITH THE HOPES OF ATTRACTING MORE VISITORS TO THE JERSEY SHORE.

>> OUR PRIMARY MARKET FOR THE SHORE IS IN-STATE RESIDENT, NEW YORK, PENNSYLVANIA, DELAWARE.

WHAT WE PLAN TO DO IS EXPAND OUR MARKET INTO NEW ENGLAND, WEST INTO OHIO AND SOUTH AS FAR AS VIRGINIA FOR RIGHT NOW.

IT'S GOING TO BE A DIGITAL CAMPAIGN, BUT ULTIMATELY WE'LL BE LOOKING TO GET TO THE INTERNATIONAL MARKETS AS WELL.

>> Reporter: WE DON'T HAVE THE NUMBERS FROM 20 TORQUE BUT IN 2019, THE YEAR BEFORE THE PANDEMIC ARECORD NUMBER OF VISITORS CAME TO NEW JERSEY.

NOW HERE IS A LOOK AT FRIDAY'S TRADING ACTION ON WALL STREET.

THOSE ARE YOUR TOP BUSINESS STORIES.

>>> AND THIS WEEKEND JOIN RHONDA FOR NJ BUSINESS FEED AND FIND OUT WHY THEY SAY THE STATE IS POISED FOR A REBOUND THIS YEAR.

YOU CAN FIND IT ON SATURDAY AT 5:00 P.M. AND SUNDAY MORNING AT 9:30 A.M. BACK TO THE DRAWING BOARD FOR A GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATE.

STRAIGHT ELECTION OFFICIALS DENIED PHIL RIZZO'S APPEAL FOR PUBLIC MATCHING FUNDS.

THE HOBOKEN PASTOR WILL LOSE HIS SPOT ON THE DEBATE STAGE, POSSIBLY CLEARING THE WAY FOR THE REST OF THE GOP FIELD.

GOVERNOR MURPHY IS RIDING HIGH ON PANDEMIC APPROVAL RATINGS, BUT A LOT CAN HAPPEN BETWEEN NOW AND THE ELECTION.

WHAT CAN VOTERS EXPECT.

MICHAEL ARON GOES ON THE RECORD WITH THE DIRECTOR OF THE INSTITUTE FOR NEW JERSEY POLITICS.

>> Reporter: MICHAEL, THANKS FOR JOINING US.

A HOBOKEN PASTOR, PHIL RIZZO, FAILED TO GET HIS PAPERWORK IN ON TIME TO THE EN FORCEMENT COMMISSION AND LOST HIS CHANCE TO GET INTO THE TWO TELEVISED DEBATES.

WHAT IMPACT, IF ANY, DOES THAT HAVE ON THE GOP NOMINATING BATTLE?

WELL, I THINK IT DOES CLEAR THE FIELD TO SOME EXTENT FOR JACK.

YOU KNOW, IN ONE SENSE THAT'S GOOD IF YOU'RE HIS FAN.

YOU REALLY DO WANT TO SEE OUR ELECTION LAWS TO ENCOURAGE AND MAXIMIZE VOTER PARTICIPATION.

WHEN YOU SEE AN ACCOMPLISHMENT COLLECTING CONTRIBUTIONS TO QUALIFY FOR PUBLIC FUNDING, YOU WANT TO ENCOURAGE THAT.

YOU DON'T WANT TO SEND A MESSAGE THAT IT DOESN'T MATTER.

>> Reporter: ASIDE FROM JACK, THE PARTY BACKED CANDIDATE AND THE FAVORITE, THAT LEAVES ONE WHO RAN FOR GOVERNOR IN 2017, U.S. SENATE IN 2018, CONGRESS IN 2020.

DOES HE HAVE A CHANCE?

WELL, YOU KNOW THE PROBLEM THAT ALL OF THE OTHER CANDIDATES HAVE IS THAT THEIR BEST CHANCE WOULD'VE BEEN TO GET AN ORGANIZATIONAL LINE OR TWO AND NONE OF THEM WERE ABLE TO DO THAT.

NONE OF THEM WERE ABLE TO GET THE BACKING OF AP COUNTY ORGANIZATION.

>> Reporter: SO HOW DO YOU SIZE THEM UP IN THE FALL?

>> WE OFTEN TALK ABOUT THIS PURSE OF DEMOCRATIC GOVERNORS.

THE LAST TIME THAT WAS A SITUATION YOU HAVE TO REMEMBER, THERE WERE 600,000 MORE DEMOCRATS IN THE STATE THAN REPUBLICANS TO.

DAY THE NUMBER IS OVER ONE MILLION.

AT SOME POINT THE LAW OF MATH KICKS IN.

>> Reporter: ISN'T IT GOING TO DEPEND, SOMEWHAT, ON WHETHER THE PANDEMIC IS IN THE REARVIEW MIRROR OR NOT?

THAT IS A GREAT POINT.

I ASKED JACK ABOUT THAT AND HE SAID, LISTEN, I CAN'T CHEER FOR US NOT TO BE DOING WELL.

IF I THINK EVERYBODY IS DOING WELL AND BACK IN SCHOOL, MAYBE PEOPLE ARE FEELING GOOD ABOUT THINGS AND MAYBE THAT MEANS THERE IS A TENDENCY TO LOOK MORE FAVORABLY AT THE INCUMBENT.

I STILL HAVE TO CHEER FOR THE STATE OF NEW INJURE TO DO WELL.

>> Reporter: CHRIS CHRISTIE SAYS HE'S RUNNING FOR GOVERNOR IN 2024.

THEY USUALLY PICK A NOMINEE THAT'S RUN BEFORE.

THERE THE A STRONG SENSE, AND WE'VE HEARD IT EVER IF A LONG TIME, THAT HIS BEST CHANCE WOULD'VE BEEN WHILE HE WAS RIDING HIGH IN THE GOVERNOR'S SEAT AND HAD A MUCH STRONGER REPUTATION IN 2012.

THE FACT THAT WE'RE HAVING THIS DISCUSSION, I THINK IT SPEAKS WELL TO, YOU KNOW, THE FACT THAT HE'S GOT POLITICAL SKILLS, KNOWS HOW TO KEEP HIMSELF RELEVANT, BUT I DON'T KNOW THAT HE'S GOT THE FRONTLINE CHANCE AT THIS POINT OF EMERGING TO THE TOP OF THE FIELD.

>> Reporter: MICHAEL, THANKS SO MUCH.

>> THANK YOU, MICHAEL.

>> THE STATE MARKED EARTH DAY THIS WEEK AND WELCOME ADD NEW LEADER TO THE AGENCY TASKED WITH PROTECTING THE ENVIRONMENT.

HE'S GOT HIS WORK CUT OUT.

THREATS FROM RISING SEA LEVEL, LONG OVERDUE NEED TO UPDATE THE STATE'S WATER INFRASTRUCTURE AND THAT COMES A $30 BILLION PRICE AND AMBITIOUS CLEAN WATER TAG.

WE ASKED THE ACTING COMMISSIONER ABOUT HIS PLANS AS PART OF THE ONGOING SERIES, PERIL AND PROMISE.

>> Reporter: FIRST OF ALL, CONGRATULATIONS ON THE NOMINATION.

YOU'VE BEEN WITH THE DEPARTMENT FOR SOME TIME.

I WANT TODAY IN TO THE REPORT ISSUED THIS WEEK ON THE CLIMATE CHANGE RESILIENCE PLAN.

120 PAGES.

WHAT'S THE OVERALL GOAL?

>> THE GOAL IS TO HELP NEW JERSEY PREPARE FOR THE CLIMATE IMPACTS THAT WE'RE EXPERIENCING NOW THROUGHOUT THE STATE AND FOR THOSE THAT WE KNOW ARE TO COME.

WE'RE DEALING WITH A LOT HERE IN NEW JERSEY.

WE HAVE A RISK OF SEA LEVEL RISE INCREASE THAT IS GREATER THAN MANY OTHER PLACES ON THE PLANET.

WE HAVE A RISK OF INCREASED STORM INTENSITY, STORM FREQUENCY, THE URBAN HEAT ISLAND EFFECT FROM RISING TEMPERATURES THERE.

IS A LOT TO PREPARE FOR.

UNFORTUNATE LISCH THESE CONDITIONS ARE ONLY GOING TO WORSEN.

WE NEED TO BE READY.

THIS PLAN SETS THE TABLE, SO TO SPEAK.

IT IDENTIFIES THE CONSIDERATIONS THAT WE, ALL TOGETHER, NEED TO BE FOCUSING ON IN ORDER TO BUILD A MORE RESILIENT NEW JERSEY.

>> Reporter: LET'S TALK ABOUT CLEAN ENERGY WHICH IS, OF COURSE ABIG PART OF THIS.

GOVERNOR MURPHY MADE ATE LARGE PART OF HIS PLAN AS OVERALL ENVIRONMENTAL PLAN.

BIG GOALS THERE, YET THE STATE STILL HAS NEW PROPOSALS FOR FOSSIL FUEL PLANS IN THE WORKS.

WHY NOT FUTURECAST A MORATORIUM ON THAT?

>> ONE OF THE THINGS THAT IS WERE IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND IS THAT WE NEED TO FACILITATE A JUST TRANSITION TO A CLEAN ENERGY ECONOMY.

THERE ARE MANY WAYS WE'RE WORKING ON THAT FROM FACILITATING SOME OF THE LARGEST OFFSHORE WIND FACILITIES ON THE EASTERN SEABOARD.

IN FACT, JUST YESTERDAY I WAS WITH SOME INTERNATIONAL LEADERS TALKING ABOUT HOW NEW JERSEY IS LEADING NOT JUST ON THE EAST COAST, BUT THE ENTIRE COUNTRY IN OFFSHORE WIND.

HOWEVER WE'RE NOT GOING TO HAVE STEEL IN THE WATER TOMORROW.

THE FIRST WIND FARM IS NOT GOING TO BE ONLINE UNTIL AT LEAST 2024.

SO WE'RE NOT FLIP THE SWITCH OFF TOMORROW ON NATURAL GAS.

WE HAVE A VERY OLD BUILDING STOCK HERE IN NEW JERSEY AND WE NEED IT FOR SOME TIME TO COME.

WE HAVE TO BE FIRING ON ALL CYLINDERS TO MOVE TO THE JUST TRANSITION TO CLEAN ENERGY.

WE HAVE NOT BUILT ANY NEW POWER PLANTS IN NEW JERSEY.

SOME TIME, AND I DON'T BELIEVE ANY ARE UNDER CONSTRUCTION NOW.

.

>> Reporter: WE KNOW THAT TRANSPORTATION IS A BIG CONTRIBUTOR TO GREENHOUSE GAS.

HOW DO YOU CONVINCE, INCENTIVIZE THE INDUSTRY TO INVEST IN THINGS LIKE ELECTRIC VEHICLES WHEN WE KNOW IT'S NOT EASY TO DO AND IT COST A LOT OF MONEY?

>> SO THE A WAY WE DO THAT, TWO FOLD.

WE HAVE TO INCENTIVIZE, INVEST AND USE THE MECHANICS OF LAW TO PUSH PEOPLE FORWARD.

LAST WEEK WE PROPOSED A CLEAN TRUCK RULE THAT WILL MOVE MANUFACTURERS TOWARD PUTTING MORE ELECTRIC TRY PHID HEAVY MEDIUM DUTY TRUCKS ON THE ROAD HERE IN NEW JERSEY.

AT THE SAME TIME WE'RE INVESTING GREAT DEAL IN OUR ELECTRIC VEHICLE INFRASTRUCTURE.

WE NEED TO SEE ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGES STATIONS AS MUCH AS GAS STATIONS.

AS WE GET THERE WE WILL SEE DIRECT BENEFITS TO THE IMPROVEMENTS IN LOCAL AIR SHEDS BECAUSE BY MOVING TO AN ELECTRIC VEHICLE, WE'RE REMOVING POLLUTANTS FROM OUR COMMUNITIES.

THINK ABOUT THE CARS THAT IDLE IN FRONT OF THE SCHOOLS WHERE OUR CHILDREN ARE EDUCATED.

THEY DON'T DESERVE TO BE THE RECIPIENTS OF THE POLLUTION.

>> Reporter: ACTING COMMISSIONER, THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

>> IT IS MY PLEASURE.

IF YOU WANT TO TAKE A DEEPER LOOK AT THE STATE'S PLAN TO STRENGTHEN RESILIENCE TO CLIMATE CHANGE HEAD TO NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.ORG.

>> LEAD FUNDING IS PROVIDED BY DR. P ROY HAVING LOS.

MAJOR SUPPORT IS PROVIDED BY THE MARK FOUNDATION AND THE CHERYL AND PHILLIP MILL STEEN FAMILY.

FINALLY TONIGHT, WHAT BETTER WAY TO END THE WEEK THAN WITH A SWEET HELLO TO THE NEWEST MEMBER OF OUR NEWS TEAM.

RAVEN SANTANA WELCOMED HER SECOND BABY GIRL TO THE WORLD APRIL 211th.

KENNEDY MARY SANCHEZ.

MOM, DAD AND BIG SISTER SYDNEY ARE ALL DOING WELL.

CONGRATULATIONINGS RAVEN.

WATCH REPORTERS ROUNDTABLE WITH DAVID CRUZ SATURDAY AT 6:00 P.M. AND SUNDAY AT 10:00 A.M.

ALONG WITH CHAT BOX.

THAT AIRS SATURDAY AT 6:30 AND SUNDAY MORNING AT 10:30.

I'M BRIANA VANNOZZI, FOR THE ENTIRE NEWS TEAM, THANKS FOR WATCHING.

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND.

HAPPY FRIDAY.

>> NJM INSURANCE GROUP SERVEING THE INSURANCE NEEDS OF RESIDENTS AND BUSINESS OF MORE THAN A HUNDRED YEARS AND HORIZON BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF NEW JERSEY, AN INDEPENDENT LICENSEE OF THE BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD ASSOCIATION.