The message for the eight years of Gov. Chris Christie’s tenure was that New Jersey was committed to a “business friendly” agenda. While environmental protection objectives and programs were not totally ignored, they were accorded a diminished status in the governmental pecking order, which was reflected in substantial reductions in DEP’s staffing level and budget. As for the organized environmental community, it was viewed as a hostile force and not deserving of a seat at the table.

During the run up to the 2017 general election, the Murphy campaign made it clear that it had a very different view of environmental issues from that of the opposing candidate who had been at the center of the Christie administration’s “regulatory reform” initiatives. See L. Goldshore, “Nobody Likes Red Tape: Will Report Be Implemented or Ignored,” 200 N.J.L.J. 431 (May 17, 2010). Candidate Murphy promised that, if elected, his environmental protection priorities would include climate change, protecting the Jersey shore and preserving open space.