***MULTIMEDIA PACKAGE*** Stender, Scutari Promote Adoption of Safer Technology for Use by Governments and Utilities

***MULTIMEDIA PACKAGE***

STENDER/SCUTARI PROMOTE ADOPTION OF SAFER TECH FOR USE BY GOVERNMENTS AND UTILITIES

(LINDEN) - Assemblywoman Linda Stender and Senator Nicholas P. Scutari (both D-Union) today issued a multimedia package on their legislation (ACR-239) to urge governments, water utilities and chemical companies to use inherently safer technologies in their daily operations.

According to Scutari and Stender, the hazardous materials currently used by these entities represent one of the largest threats to public safety in the state, as hazardous chemicals - like chlorine - often are shipped in vulnerable, conspicuously marked containers and rail cars.

The multimedia package consists of a video press release from a news conference on the legislation, audio of same and a transcript of statements from the legislators.

The video can be accessed directly via our Web site - www.assemblydems.com - or by clicking here.

The audio file is available upon request.

A transcript of comments is appended below:

Assemblywoman Linda Stender (D-Union):

"We're here today to talk about the issue of inherently safer technologies.  Across the state, New Jerseyans are put at risk of being exposed to potentially deadly chemical spills and attacks that would result from the transport of hazardous chemicals by rail.

"Homeland security and many national security experts have warned that terrorists could use chemicals - like chlorine - travelling by rail, as a weapon of mass destruction.  Yet in railcars, completely unguarded and totally unprotected, as we see behind us today, hazardous chemicals travel through densely populated cities across New Jersey and America every day."

Senator Nicholas P. Scutari (D-Union):

"If you look at this trail, this is the City of Linden.  I drove right up to this street, walked right over and that railcar is readily available.  So, the more dangerous things we can take out of the mix, the better."

Stender:

"Because that's really what we are here to talk about today.  It's about the transportation of dangerous chemicals, like chlorine, that we would like to stop.  Transporting these highly dangerous chemicals by rail when alternative solutions exist is a catastrophe waiting to happen.

"To further address these issues I have introduced a resolution - along with Assemblyman Jerry Green and Assemblyman McKeon in the Assembly and Senator Scutari will be introducing it in the Senate - that urges government, water utilities and chemical companies to utilize inherently safer technologies to mitigate risk of terrorist attacks or the unintended release of hazardous substances.

"An example of a safer technology would be using bleach that is made from only salt, water and electricity to disinfect and treat water.  This process is driven and funded by the private sector and are already being widely deployed in Europe and Asia.  It is safe, simple, and comes at no cost to government or taxpayers."

Scutari:

"Hopefully we can move forward and make New Jersey and Linden a safer place."

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