New Jersey Poised to Pass Legislation That Would Speed Water Privatization

A bill awaiting New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie’s signature will make privatizing municipal water systems easier and let “corporate profits replace meeting the needs of consumers and the environment,” critics charge.

The legislation in question is the “Water Infrastructure Protection Act,” which passed the Senate 21-16 on Thursday. The measure is sponsored by Republican Senator Joe Kyrillos and Democratic Senator Paul Sarlo.

The Herald reports that sales of municipal water systems to private entities would be fast-tracked because the bill would eliminate “a mandatory public vote on such deals and reduc[e] oversight of the sale price by the state Board of Public Utilities.”

Jeff Tittel, Director of the New Jersey Sierra Club, wrote Tuesday that the governor should veto the bill, stating: “The Legislature is selling out our clean water by turning New Jersey’s water supply over to foreign, multinational corporations.”

Tittel called the bill “dangerous” and “undemocratic,” and added: “Studies have shown that when public services are privatized, corporate profits replace meeting the needs of consumers and the environment.”