{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-announces-525-million-to-new-jersey-ports-to-improve-operations-enhance-sustainability", "Booker Announces $52.5 million to New Jersey Ports to Improve Operations, Enhance Sustainability", "2023-11-02", "2023", "2023-11", "Democrat", "Senate", "NJ", "Cory A. Booker", "B001288", "www.booker.senate.gov", "booker", "https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press", "scraper", "NEWARK, N.J. \u2013 Today, U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) announced $52.5 million in funding to New Jersey ports to improve the safety, efficiency, and reliability of the movement of goods.\n\nThe Port Authority of New York and New Jersey is receiving $32 million for the reconstruction of Berth PN-308 at Port Newark, a project vital to the port\u2019s operations, with regional and national benefits, and $20.5 million is going to South Jersey Port Corporation for environmental remediation and improvements at Paulsboro Marine Terminal.\n\nThe grants are part of the U.S. Department of Transportation Maritime Administration\u2019s Port Infrastructure Development Program, which is awarded on a competitive basis to ports for planning and capital projects.\n\n\u201cNew Jersey\u2019s ports are engines of economic development for our region, moving goods, creating jobs, and strengthening our economy,\u201d said Senator Booker. \u201cThese investments will fund critical upgrades that improve port operations and shore up supply chains; secure New Jersey\u2019s position as a leader in clean energy, and create thousands of jobs.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe Bipartisan Infrastructure Law continues to provide economic opportunities in our communities and deliver for South Jersey,\u201d said Representative Donald Norcross (D-NJ). \u201cThis $20 million investment in the Port of Paulsboro will expand and improve the port\u2019s operations, infrastructure, and capacity while creating and supporting good-paying jobs throughout our region. The long-term sustainability of our ports is vital to our economy, and I will continue to support investments that ensure we can meet America\u2019s freight and transportation needs.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe ships arriving at the Port of New York and New Jersey are carrying the goods that power our region\u2019s economy,\u201d said Port Authority Chairman Kevin O\u2019Toole. \u201cThis grant award will make sure those ships have a reliable place to dock \u2013 a rebuilt wharf and pier structure that will last well into the future.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe Port Authority is committed to maintaining the cargo capabilities of the Port of New York and New Jersey at the highest possible level in order to keep the port at the forefront of the nation\u2019s supply chain,\u201d said Port Authority Executive Director Rick Cotton. \u201cThis grant is a key element in achieving that ambition.\u201d\n\n\u201cWe greatly appreciate the Biden Administration\u2019s continued investment in the Ports in South Jersey,\u201d said Andrew Saporito, Executive Director and CEO, South Jersey Port. \u201cThrough the support of our federal partners and Governor Murphy, the Paulsboro Marine Terminal is well positioned to attract a diverse cargo portfolio.\u201d\n\nThe New Jersey grant awards are:\n\n$32 million to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey for the replacement and modernization of Berth PN-308 at Port Newark, which has been out of service since September 2021 due to structural safety concerns. Specific project activities include demolition and debris removal, pile driving and capping, as well as deck installation. The project will reconstruct the wharf for a 75-year service-life, increase the live load criteria from 500 pounds per square foot (psf) to 2,000 psf, and implement flexible resiliency enhancements such as elevating the structure to manage sea level rise.\n\n$20.5 million to the South Jersey Port Corporation for the construction of a Main Terminal Sanitary Pump Station and Offsite Conveyance; constructing stormwater collection and treatment infrastructure as well as yard piping needed to provide utility connections; final grading and paving to include the removal and disposal of excess contaminated soil and the protection or relocation of existing monitoring wells; construction of 15 high-mast-light poles; electrical infrastructure improvements to include a secondary main transformer, new switchgear, and completion of electrical loops; redevelopment of approximately 2 acres for employee parking; security improvements including fencing and relocation of a guard booth; and decommissioning and restoration of a groundwater treatment plant to convert it for use in port operations.\n\nBooker wrote letters to U.S. Department of Transportation Maritime Administration in support of both projects.\n\nThe Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which Booker voted for, appropriated $450 million to the Port Infrastructure Development Program in FY2023, and the FY2023 government funding bill made another $212 million available for the program.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:01:09Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-announces-525-million-to-new-jersey-ports-to-improve-operations-enhance-sustainability"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.354377018287778, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}