On August 13, Bloustein School Distinguished Professor and Associate Dean for Research Clinton J. Andrews provided invited testimony before the New Jersey Senate Environment and Energy Committee during a hearing at the Lavallette Municipal Building focused on the need for investment in storm-resilient infrastructure across the state. Andrews discussed the increasing threats posed by coastal and inland flooding, sea-level rise, extreme rainfall, and heat, noting that New Jersey already faced significant infrastructure needs before climate-related costs were considered. The state’s 2025 infrastructure needs assessment estimated approximately $66 billion in transportation needs through 2030, $91–$194 billion for energy over the next decade, and about $12 billion each for water supply and wastewater treatment over the next 20 years. He recommended prioritizing resilience investments in transportation, water resources, flood management, and community infrastructure while using careful planning to direct development and investment away from areas facing the greatest risks.
Andrews told the committee that resilient infrastructure investments could provide a “triple dividend” by preventing future losses, generating economic and development benefits, and producing additional social and environmental gains. While New Jersey already had programs supporting resilience, including Resilient New Jersey, Green Acres and Blue Acres, the New Jersey Water Bank, and transportation resilience initiatives, he emphasized the need for a dedicated and sustained source of funding for climate resilience planning and infrastructure. With federal resources becoming less reliable, Andrews pointed to financing approaches already used in New Jersey and other states as potential models. He concluded that proven adaptation strategies and financing models could help New Jersey strengthen its infrastructure, reduce risk, and better prepare communities for future climate-related disruptions.
August 13, 2026