The New Jersey IIJA Office holds the core policy commitments of equity, job creation, reliability, safety, and sustainability. Project applications and planning should maintain these commitments from the initial ideation stage through the design, construction, and maintenance of projects.

Equity

The federally mandated Justice40 Initiative requires federal agencies to deliver at least 40% of overall benefits from federal investments, including IIJA, to underserved communities. Justice40 covers a wide range of investments, including in communities that are vulnerable to climate hazards and communities exposed to legacy pollution and/or lacking access to clean energy and energy efficiency, clean transit, affordable and sustainable housing, training and workforce development, and critical clean water and wastewater infrastructure. Given the systemic and long-standing nature of the challenges that this funding will help to address, Justice40 is not meant to be a one-time payment or action, but rather a shift in process and perspective on how government operates to ensure that benefits reach underserved individuals and communities.

Job Creation

IIJA funding will both increase labor demand in the infrastructure sector and help support New Jersey’s workforce in meeting that demand. IIJA provides the multi-year certainty in funding sources needed to support growing the talent pipeline and bench of workers who can deliver on New Jersey’s infrastructure priorities. Focusing on training for a range of careers across all aspects of infrastructure development and implementation will increase access to high-skilled, good-paying, and secure jobs that support families and communities. We look forward to working with our partners in labor to achieve this vision.

Reliability

IIJA investments must stand the test of time to support projects that will be reliable and resilient in the face of advancing technologies and our changing climate. That means strengthening what is already built and also thinking ahead in the construction of new projects.  Smart planning for New Jersey’s future will reduce long-term operation and maintenance expenses so that infrastructure repair will be needed less-frequently and can be done with minimal disruption to the public.

Safety

From design to implementation to construction, all projects must promote public safety for both residents and workers. IIJA supports safety planning through the strengthening of our roads and bridges and through the improvements to health outcomes that result from cleaner air and water in our communities.

Sustainability

IIJA has increased funding through existing and new federal programs for clean energy, carbon reduction, clean water, and climate resilience. IIJA funds will support New Jersey’s transition to 100% clean energy by 2050, 50% greenhouse gas emissions reduction by 2030, and 80% greenhouse gas emissions reduction by 2050. Infrastructure investment for climate action through the IIJA will critically support clean, reliable, affordable, and accessible energy, water, and transportation systems and create opportunities for a localized supply chain and good-paying, family-sustaining green jobs. These investments, in accordance with the Murphy Administration’s policy priorities for a clean energy economy, will deliver benefits to all New Jerseyans including: offering more public transit options, expanding the EV charging network to facilitate charging convenience and long-distance travel, preparing infrastructure against the impacts of extreme weather events, delivering clean drinking water, eliminating lead service lines, increasing access to green and healthy buildings, expanding utility assistance, and creating new family-sustaining jobs.