INSURANCE GROUP.

SERVING THE NEEDS OF BUSINESSES AND REVENUE RESIDENTS AND BY THE PSEG FOUNDATION.

>>> ♪ >>> FROM NJ PBS, THIS IS NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

WITH BRENDA FLANAGAN.

>>> HELLO AND WELCOME TO NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

I AM RAVEN SANTANA IN FOR BRIANA VANNOZZI.

DAY FIVE OF THE RUSSIAN INVASION CONTINUES TO SPARK LOCAL OPPOSITION IS PROTESTERS GATHERED IN NEW YORK CITY AND ACROSS THE WORLD IN SOLIDARITY WITH UKRAINE INCLUDING IN RUSSIA WHERE MORE THAN 3000 PROTESTERS WERE DETAINED.

HALF A MILLION UKRAINIANS HAVE LEFT THE COUNTRY ACCORDING TO THE U.N.

REFUGEE AGENCY.

OTHERS ARE RETURNING TO THEIR HOMELAND TO TAKE UP ARMS AGAINST RUSSIAN INVADERS.

THE RESISTANCE CONTINUES AS UKRAINE AND RUSSIA MET AT THE BELARUSIAN BORDER FOR THE FIRST TALKS TODAY.

THE U.S. TREASURY ANNOUNCED NEW SANCTIONS TARGETING THE RUSSIAN CENTRAL BANK AND STATE INVESTMENT FUNDS AND THE LATEST HARD-HITTING RETALIATION FOR THE INVASION OF IN CRANE.

ACCORDING TO THE ASSOCIATED TRUST, THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION ESTIMATED THE MOVE COULD IMPACT HUNDREDS OF BILLIONS OF DOLLARS OF RUSSIAN FUNDING.

NEW JERSEY HAS JOINED IN PART OF THE GLOBAL EFFORT TO ISOLATE RUSSIA ECONOMICALLY.

THE NEW JERSEY ASSEMBLY IN RESPONSE TO THE UNPROVOKED AND AGGRESSIVE RUSSIAN INVASION OF UKRAINE IN VIOLATION OF THE COUNTRY'S INDEPENDENCE AND SOVEREIGNTY VOTED UNANIMOUSLY 75-0 PASSING A PARTISAN RESOLUTION TO STAND IN SOLIDARITY WITH THE PEOPLE AND GOVERNMENT OF UKRAINE.

STILL, UKRAINIAN RESIDENTS HERE FILL HELP US AS THEY WATCH FROM AFAR MANY FEARFUL FROM FOUR FAMILIES AND FRIENDS IN UKRAINE DOING ANYTHING THEY CAN TO AID RESISTANCE.

JOANNA GAGIS REPORTS.

>> Reporter: THE ANGUISH FOR UKRAINIANS IN NEW JERSEY HAS WORSENED AS RUSSIA'S ATTACKS ON THE NATION CONTINUE THROUGH THE WEEKEND AND TODAY.

>> MY MOM AND MY TWO SISTERS.

THERE ARE 13 AND 14 TRYING TO GET OUT RIGHT NOW.

THEY ARE TRYING TO CROSS POLAND 'S BORDER.

THEY LITERALLY ARE CROSSING THE BORDER WITH NOTHING.

ONLY THEIR PAPERWORK.

>> Reporter: JERSEY CITY'S MARIA SAID SHE IS THINKING ABOUT HER DAD.

>> HE IS 58 AND HE CAN'T LEAVE THE COUNTRY BECAUSE THEY ARE DRAFTING PEOPLE 18 TO 60 BUT I KNOW HE WOULDN'T THE COUNTRY EVEN IF HE COULD.

THEY ARE FIGHTING.

THEY ARE FIGHTERS.

>> Reporter: BUT AS THEIR ANGUISH GROWS, SO DOES THEIR RESOLVE.

>> STAND STRONG.

>> Reporter: WE ARE FIGHTING HERE AS A UKRAINIAN AMERICAN COMMUNITY TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY ARE SUPPORTED ON ALL PARTS, EVERY DAY.

WE GET A PRESS RELEASE OF THE ACTION POINTS THAT THE AMBASSADOR OF UKRAINE IS ASKING US TO DISSEMINATE.

>> WE ARE GETTING HUMANITARIAN AND MEDICAL HELP.

THAT IS MUCH NEEDED RIGHT NOW.

OKAY.

WE ARE HELPING WITH WHATEVER POSSIBLE EQUIPMENT WE CAN GET.

WE HAVE A CHAIN THAT HAS BEEN CREATED AND IT IS JUST NONSTOP.

THE SUPPLIES ARE GOING NONSTOP.

THAT'S HOW OUR ARMY IS ABLE TO STAND THIS STRONG BECAUSE WE ARE SUPPORTING THEM.

>> Reporter: SOROKA AND CONDON ARE WITH UKRAINIAN JERSEY CITY.

THEY ARE ONE OF COUNTLESS ORGANIZATIONS SENDING SUPPORT TO UKRAINE.

>> WE ARE WORKING WITH THE N G O THAT HAS SECURED STORAGE FACILITIES THROUGH THE COUNTRY THAT IS PROCURING PROCURING MEDICAL SUPPLIES I'M A PHARMACEUTICAL SUPPLIES, FOOD, CLOTHING, THERMAL BLANKETS.

WE ARE DIVIDING IT TO THE FRONT LINES AS WELL AS HOSPITALS TREATING THE WOUNDED.

OR REFUGEES, IVPS.

POOR IDP'S ARE INDIVIDUALS WHO FLED THEIR HOMES BUT REMAIN IN THEIR COUNTRY, MANY HIDING IN CHURCHES USING THEM AS BOMB SHELTERS OR BECAUSE THEY HAVE LOST THEIR HOMES TO BOMBS.

THE UKRAINIAN CHURCH IS SUPPORTING ACTIVE IDP'S IN UKRAINE.

>> WE HAVE COLLECTED A QUARTER OF A MILLION DOLLARS IN FINANCIAL AID THAT'S WILL BE DISTRIBUTED TO PEOPLE IN NEED IN EASTERN PART OF UKRAINE.

I WAS PERSONALLY ABLE TO TRANSFER A CHURCHES FUNDS TO VARIOUS RELIGIOUS LEADERS IN UKRAINE CARING FOR THE PEOPLE THAT ARE LEFT WITHOUT HOMES ON THE STREETS.

LIVING IN A TOWN LIKE -- IN DONBAS REGION.

>> Reporter: UKRAINIAN OFFICIALS INCLUDING THOSE IN THE DONE BACKS DONBAS REGION ARE TARGETS.

>> HE SENT ME A PICTURE OF HIS HOME.

THERE IS NOTHING LEFT.

IS GRANDMOTHER IS 76 AND WAS KILLED.

>> Reporter: THE GOVERNMENT HAS REPORTED 350 CIVILIAN CALIBERS OLDIES INCLUDING 14 CHILDREN.

UKRAINIAN AND RUSSIAN DELEGATES MET IN BELARUS TODAY THOUGH THERE IS NOT MUCH HOPE AMONGST UKRAINIANS HERE THAT THE TALKS WILL HAVE A POSITIVE OUTCOME.

ESPECIALLY AS BELARUS LOOKS POISED TO JOIN THE RUSSIAN EFFORT THAT HAS MET WITH MORE RESISTANCE THAN PUTIN LIKELY PLANNED.

>> HE MISCALCULATED THE RESISTANCE HE WOULD FACE.

YOU CAN SEE THAT BY THE TYPE OF MILITARY UNITS IT IS SENDING IN.

THEY HAVE LIMITED SUPPLY LINES.

THEY ARE SPREAD APART.

THEY HAVE NO AIR COVER.

HOWEVER, YOU ARE SEEING MOBILIZATION OF THE LARGER RUSSIAN MILITARY FORCE AND YOU ARE SEEING MOBILIZATION OF THE BELARUSIAN FORCE SO THEY ARE PREPARING TO HIT KYIV AND THEIR INTENTION IS TO TAKE OVER.

BUT FOLKS ON THE GROUND ARE ASKING FOR SUPPORT.

>> PLACE A FLAG.

LACE RIBBONS.

SHOW SUPPORT.

THIS MAKES US STRONGER.

UKRAINIAN JERSEY CITY IS ORGANIZING A RALLY TOMORROW THAT WILL MARCH FROM JERSEY CITY TO HOBOKEN DURING THE DAY.

>> Reporter: THEY ARE ASKING ANYONE WHO WANTS TO GET INVOLVED TO FOLLOW THEIR FACEBOOK PAGE, UKRAINIAN JERSEY CITY WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION.

IN JERSEY CITY, JOANNA GAGIS, AND JUST BUT MET -- NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> IN RESPONSE TO THE RUSSIAN INVASION, IS THE RESISTANCE ENOUGH TO DETER STUDENT -- PUTIN?

IS A CEASE-FIRE POSSIBLE?

JOINING ME TO DISCUSS THE LATEST IS SENATOR AND CHAIR OF THE SENATE FOREIGN RELATIONS COMMITTEE, BOB MENENDEZ.

WHAT IS YOUR REACTION TO WHAT IS HAPPENING ON THE GROUND IN UKRAINE?

STILL HEAVY FIGHTING BUT THE UKRAINIANS SEEM TO BE HOLDING THEIR GROUND.

>> Reporter: >> I THINK PUT IN HAS GREATLY MISCALCULATED.

HE UNDERESTIMATED THE POWER AND RESOLVE OF THE UKRAINIAN ARMY AND ITS PEOPLE WHO ARE DEMONSTRATING GREAT COURAGE AGAINST OVERWHELMING ODDS.

HE HAS UNDERESTIMATED THE UNITY OF THE WEST AS WELL AS THE SUCCESS OF THE RELENTLESS DIPLOMACY BY THE UNITED STATES WHICH IS LEADING TO CRIPPLING SANCTIONS ON PUTIN, CRIPPLING SANCTIONS OF THE CENTRAL BANK OF RUSSIA, CRIPPLING SANCTIONS ON ITS 10 MAJOR BANKS, FREEZING ITS RESERVES IN FOREIGN ACCOUNTS LIKE IN THE UNITED STATES AND ELSEWHERE, SEEING A COUNTRY LIKE SWITZERLAND LEAVE ITS NEUTRALITY AND FREEZE RUSSIAN ASSETS, HAVING BOTH THE EU AND GERMANY CHANGE THEIR POLICIES AND SEND WEAPONRY TO UKRAINE.

SO I THINK THESE ALL SPEAK TO THE MISCALCULATION THAT VLADIMIR PUTIN HAS MADE AND IT IS STILL A CHALLENGE FOR THE UKRAINIANS AS THEY FACE THESE OVERWHELMING ODDS.

POOR REPRESENTATIVES FROM UKRAINE AND RUSSIA ARE MEETING FOR TALKS TODAY.

ARE YOU OPTIMISTIC THERE COULD STILL BE SOME SORT OF DIPLOMATIC OUTCOME OR TALKS OF CEASE-FIRE?

>> AS WE SPEAK, THAT MEETING HAS TAKEN, HAS CONCLUDED.

I SPENT OVER FIVE HOURS.

FOR THE UKRAINIANS THEY WANT A TOTAL CEASE-FIRE, TOTAL WITHDRAWAL OF RUSSIAN TROOPS.

I AM NOT OVERLY OPTIMISTIC BECAUSE RUSSIA SENT ITS CULTURE MINISTER WHICH IS NOT SOMEONE YOU SEND IF YOU ARE SERIOUS ABOUT A NEGOTIATION WHILST UKRAINE SENT ITS DEFENSE MINISTER.

THERE MAY BE OTHER MEETINGS.

CERTAINLY, IT IS OUR HOPE THAT THAT COULD LEAD TO A PEACEFUL RESOLUTION OF WHERE WE ARE AT BUT THAT HAS NOT STOPPED THE RUSSIANS FROM CONTINUING TO BOMB INCLUDING CIVILIAN BUILDINGS, HOSPITALS, SCHOOLS AND IT HAS NOT STOPPED THEIR MARCH ON UKRAINE.

THE UKRAINIANS ARE FIGHTING BACK VALIANTLY EVEN IN THE MIDST OF THESE CONVERSATIONS.

>>> THE U.S. AND OTHER COUNTRIES HAVE ISSUED TOUGHER SANCTIONS AGAINST RUSSIA AND HAVE REMOVED RUSSIAN BANKS FROM THE SWISS MESSAGING SYSTEM.

WILL IT BE ENOUGH TO END THE INVASION?

>> PUTIN IS GOING TO HAVE TO MAKE A DECISION.

THESE DECISIONS ARE SURROUNDING HIM BY THE TYPE OF SANCTIONS THAT I CALLED FOR MY LEGISLATION, THAT I APPLAUD MY ADMINISTRATION FOR ENFORCING AND EMBRACING.

WHEN YOU SANCTION THE CENTRAL BANK OF A COUNTRY, THAT IS LIKE THE EQUIVALENT OF OUR FEDERAL RESERVE.

YOU ARE CREATING AN ENORMOUS CHALLENGE.

WHEN YOU FREEZE THE ASSETS ABROAD, THE ASSETS HE WOULD HAVE USED TO CONTINUE THIS CONFLICT, HE IS GOING TO HAVE TO THINK ABOUT THE CONSEQUENCES.

>> Reporter: WE KNOW IN NEW JERSEY WE COULD BE IMPACTED BY THIS WAR.

SENATOR, WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST CONCERN WHEN IT COMES TO THE ECONOMY, STOCK MARKET OR EVEN OUR MILITARY?

>> MY GREATEST CONCERN IS ENERGY AND THE POSSIBILITY OF AN ENERGY CRISIS GOING UP AND HITTING CONSUMERS IN OUR STATE AND ACROSS THE COUNTRY WITH HIGHER GAS PRICES.

I KNOW THE ADMINISTRATION IS ACTIVELY ENGAGED IN TRYING TO MITIGATE THAT BY CREATING GREATER RESERVES, BY CONSIDERING LETTING RESERVES FROM THE STRATEGIC PETROLEUM RESERVE BE RELEASED.

I'M WORKING WITH COUNTRIES THAT ARE OIL-PRODUCING TO MAXIMIZE THEIR EFFORTS.

BUT THAT IS MY BIGGEST ECONOMIC CONCERN.

SO WE WILL CONTINUE TO SUPPORT THE UKRAINIANS IN THEIR FIGHT FOR THEIR OWN FREEDOM.

>> Reporter: SENATOR MENENDEZ, ALWAYS A LEADER IN REPRESENTING NEW JERSEY.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING ME AND I APPRECIATE YOUR TIME.

>> GREAT TO SPEAK TO YOU.

TAKE CARE.

>>> THIS JUST IN, GOVERNOR MURPHY SAYING MASKS WILL NOT BE REQUIRED ON NEW JERSEY SCHOOL BUSES ON MARCH 7TH.

'S COMMENTS, SOME DISTRICTS SAY THEY WILL GO MASK OPTIONAL THIS WEEK.

THE CDC HAS OFFICIALLY CHANGED ITS GUIDANCE FOR WHEN PEOPLE SHOULD WEAR A MASK INDOORS, LIFTING RECOMMENDATIONS FOR MOST OF THE COUNTRY, INCLUDING ALL NEW JERSEY COUNTIES THAT ARE LISTED AS MEDIUM OR LOW RATES OF COVID TRANSMISSION.

THE GUIDANCE CHANGES BASED ON THE CDC'S NEW METRICS TO DETERMINE COVID RISK LEVELS INCLUDING HOSPITALIZATIONS AND CASELOADS.

AS OF TODAY, NEW JERSEY REPORTS 685 CASES AND 13 NEW DEATHS.

WHILE NEW JERSEY HAS A HIGH VACCINATION RATE, THE RATE OF PEOPLE GETTING BOOSTED REMAINS LOW INCLUDING AMONG THE STATES HEALTHCARE WORKERS.

BUT THAT CHANGED TODAY UNDER A NEW VACCINATION MANDATE REQUIRING HEALTHCARE WORKERS WHO ARE ELIGIBLE TO GET A BOOSTER OR ELSE FACE SUSPENSION OR TERMINATION.

AND NOW THE STATES HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION IS CALLING FOR THE GOVERNOR TO POSTPONE THE DEADLINE.

SR.

CORRESPONDENT, BRENDA FLANAGAN REPORTS.

>> Reporter: THEY ARE STRESSED, SHORTSTAFFED AND MOST ARE FULLY VACCINATED BUT NEW JERSEY HEALTHCARE WORKERS, FROM MEDICAL CENTERS TO WORKING HOMES, ARE NOT RUSHING TO GET USED TO DESPITE TODAY'S DEADLINE SET BY GOVERNOR MURPHY.

HOSPITALS, FEARING STAFF FACED WITH CHOOSING BETWEEN A JOB OR A JOB MY QUICK, HAD ASKED MARK THE THAT WAS MURPHY FOR EXTENSIONS BUT ASIDE FROM TWEETS TO MATCH FEDERAL -- HE IS NOT CHANGING.

>> THIS IS THE RIGHT THING TO DO AND PROPER STAFFING LEVELS ASSOCIATED WITH THIS IS AN AREA OF FOCUS TO SAY THE LEAST.

>> HOSPITALS AND EVERY HEALTH INSTITUTION ARE SEEING MORE RESISTANCE TO THE BOOSTER THIS TIME AROUND.

>> Reporter: CEO, SAYS THAT LESS THAN 85% OF WORKERS AT UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL IN NEWARK HAVE GOTTEN BOOSTED OR REQUESTED EXEMPTIONS.

>> WHEN YOU ASK VOTES, PEOPLE ARE FATIGUED AROUND BEING TOLD THEY HAVE TO DO THIS.

AND THAT IS REALLY A RESPECTIVE OF THE EVIDENCE OF THE BENEFITS OF BOOSTERS WHICH ARE OVERWHELMING.

>> Reporter: 80% OF THEIR STAFF THAT ARE BOOSTED AT THIS POINT SAY THE DOSE IS A LITTLE LOWER.

I THINK THE PRESIDENT WE HAVE SEEN IS THAT PEOPLE WILL PUSH IT TO THE LAST MINUTE.

AND THEN GO AHEAD AND COMPLY WITH WHATEVER THE REGULATION IS.

THE BOOSTER RATE IS EVEN WORSE AT LONG-TERM CARE FACILITIES OR ABOUT 82% OF RESIDENTS WHO ARE FULLY VACCINATED AND BOOSTED BUT ONLY 61% OF THE STAFF ADMINISTRATORS WORRY ABOUT THE COST OF REPLACING STAFFERS WHO LEAVE, ASSUMING THEY CAN FIND FILL INS.

THE VACANCY RATE FOR NURSES SKYROCKETED 64% DURING THE PANDEMIC ACCORDING TO A NEW JERSEY HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION SURVEY WHICH REPORTS ABOUT 50 OF THE STATES ACUTE HOT CARE HOSPITALS SPENT OVER $1 BILLION ON OVERTIME OVER THE PAST TWO YEARS OF THAT PANDEMIC AND ALMOST 900 MILLION ON AGENCY AND TRAVEL NURSES.

STAFF COULD NOW FACE WHAT IS CALLED PROGRESSIVE DISCIPLINE.

>> THAT IS NOT A STEP THAT ANY HOSPITAL OR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER WANTS TO TAKE.

BECAUSE WE DON'T WANT TO JEOPARDIZE THEIR PAY, THE BENEFITS OR THE SENIORITY OF THESE INDIVIDUALS THAT, FOR THE PAST TWO YEARS, CARE FOR PEOPLE WHEN THEY WERE THE MOST VULNERABLE.

>> I AM OPTIMISTIC WE WILL BE ABLE TO DO THIS WITHOUT LOSSING LOSSES OF EMPLOYEES AND THE FIRST TIME AROUND THERE WERE LESS THAN 10 PEOPLE WHO HAD TO SEPARATE FROM THE ORGANIZATION.

>> I DON'T ANTICIPATE A MAJOR EXODUS FROM THE PROFESSION BASED ON THE BOOSTER MANDATE AND OF COURSE WE ADVOCATE FOR ALL OF OUR MEMBERS.

HEALTHCARE MEMBER, H P A E, -- SAYS THE PANDEMIC MANDATED AND DROVE PEOPLE OUT.

>> THEY ARE MOVING FROM CRISIS TO CRISIS TO CRISIS WITHOUT ANY KIND OF LET OUT.

WE HAVE HAD HEALTHCARE WORKERS LEAVE THE PROFESSION BECAUSE THEY CANNOT DEAL WITH THE WORK ENVIRONMENT ANYMORE BECAUSE IT IS SO TRAUMATIC H P A ES JOINT THE NEW JERSEY -- BECAUSE IT ANYONE IN THE PUBLIC LEFT STRESSED AND DESPERATE BY THE PANDEMIC.

THE PROGRAM IS FUNDED AND ACCESSIBLE ONLINE.

ANNA DELGADO WORKS AT THE CHILD HEALTH UNIT.

>> SOME OF US HAVE SACRIFICED OUR OWN MENTAL HEALTH TO CONTINUE TO DO THIS WORK >> WE NEED TO CONFRONT THE SCARS AND THE HURTS AND THE PAIN PARTICULARLY AMONGST OUR NURSES AND GIVE THEM THE SUPPORT THEY NEED AND FRANKLY THE SUPPORT THEY HAVE EARNED.

IT WILL ALSO TEACH FOLKS THAT THERE ARE BETTER COPING METHODS MECHANISMS AND HOW TO RECOVER FROM THE TRAUMATIC SITUATIONS DURING THE PANDEMIC POOR PEOPLE CAN REGISTER AT HPAE.ORG.

I'M BRENDA FLANAGAN, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> THERE WILL BE NO FARE HIKES FOR TRANSIT RIDERS FOR THE FIFTH YEAR IN A ROW.

THAT WAS THE MESSAGE FROM COMMUTERS FROM THE TRANSPORTATION AGENCY AND GOVERNOR MURPHY WHO SAID IT WILL HOLD STEADY THROUGH THE FIRST HALF OF 2023.

MURPHY SAID HE WILL HAVE MORE TO SAY ON HOW THE MATH WORKS OUT TO KEEP FARES FLAT WITHOUT CUTTING SERVICE WHEN HE INTRODUCES HIS STATE BUDGET PROPOSAL NEXT WEEK WHICH WILL ALSO INCLUDE MONEY TO INSTALL FREE WI-FI ON BUSES.

THE ANNOUNCEMENT AS NJ TRANSIT SAYS PERFORMANCE HAS IMPROVED AND MORE ENGINEER IS ENGINEERS HAVE BEEN HIRED.

>>> THE OMICRON WAVES IN THE 50% RAGE RANGE OF 50% ON NJ BUSES AND TRAINS.

NJ TRANSIT SAYS IT WILL INCREASE IN THE COMING MONTHS FOR AT LEAST A FEW DAYS A WEEK.

>> YOU HAVE AN ENORMOUS AMOUNT OF UNCERTAINTY WHEN WE SPEAK TO CORPORATIONS.

INSTITUTIONS OF ALL KINDS.

STATE GOVERNMENTS, CITY GOVERNMENTS, CORPORATES, UNIVERSITIES.

THERE IS AN ENORMOUS AMOUNT OF, STILL, OPEN DEBATE AS TO WHAT IS BACK TO NORMAL.

AS FAR AS WE CAN TELL, YOU ARE STILL GOING TO HAVE A FAIR AMOUNT OF FLEXIBILITY AND THAT'S GOING TO CHANGE.

>>> A NEW REPORT IS SOUNDING DIRE ALARMS ABOUT THE IMPACTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE.

THE U.N.'S INTERGOVERNMENTAL PANEL ON CLIMATE CHANGE REPORT WRITTEN BY MORE THAN 200 SCIENTISTS PLAYS OUT MORE THAN 120 WAYS THE WORLD HAS BECOME MORE DEADLY TO HUMAN LIFE SINCE THE INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION FROM MORE FREQUENT AND INTENSE STORMS AND WILDFIRES TO INCREASINGLY DEVASTATING DROUGHTS AND SOARING URBAN HEAT.

IF THE WORLD FAILS TO ACT IMMEDIATELY, SCIENTISTS WORN, HUMANITY WILL MISS A BRIEF AND RAPIDLY CLOSING WINDOW OF OPPORTUNITY TO SECURE A LIVABLE AND SUSTAINABLE FUTURE FOR ALL.

HERE IN NEW JERSEY, ONE MAJOR EFFORT TO SLASH FOSSIL FUEL USE IS TO DEVELOP THE OFFSHORE WIND INDUSTRY AND ENERGY COMPANIES HAVE LINED UP TO TAKE ADVANTAGE.

LAST WEEK, THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT RELEASED NEARLY 500,000 ACRES OF OCEAN OFF THE JERSEY SHORE FOR OFFSHORE WIND WITH SIX COMPANIES SPENDING MORE THAN 4 POINT $3 BILLION COMBINED FOR THE LEASES.

MELISSA ROSE COOPER REPORTS ON NEW JERSEY'S OFFSHORE WIND FUTURE AND THE EFFECTS THAT INDUSTRY MAY HAVE.

>> ANYTIME WE ARE CREATING ENERGY THROUGH A RENEWABLE RESOURCE LIKE SOLAR AND WIND, THAT MEANS WE ARE DISPLACING TRADITIONAL FOSSIL FUEL POWER.

THAT FOSSIL FUEL POWER IS WHAT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR NEGATIVE HEALTH IMPACTS LIKE ASTHMA, AND CANCER.

>> Reporter: THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR THE NEW JERSEY LEAGUE OF CONSERVATION DAUGHTER SAYS HE IS EXCITED ABOUT THE FUTURE DEVELOPMENT OF OFFSHORE WIND OFF THE COAST OF NEW JERSEY .

LAST WEEK, SIX COMPANIES WERE AWARDED LEASE AREAS TOTALING NEARLY 500,000 ACRES AFTER COMPLETING A COMPETITIVE BIDDING PROCESS WORTH MORE THAN $4 BILLION.

THE PROJECT DEVELOPED ON THE LEASES COULD PROVIDE ENOUGH ELECTRICITY TO POWER UP TO 2 MILLION HOMES, A BIG STEP TO REDUCED GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS AND FIGHTING CLIMATE CHANGE.

>> THIS MEANS WE HAVE A REALLY CLEAR FUTURE TOWARDS ADVANCING NEW JERSEY'S AND THE UNITED STATES' CLEAN ENERGY GOALS.

THESE AREAS OFFSHORE WILL ENABLE DEVELOPERS TO GO FORWARD IN THEIR PERMITTING AND ITS CONSTRUCTION AND OPERATIONS PROCESS.

THEY WILL FIGURE OUT WAYS TO INTERCONNECT THE POWER BACK TO NEW JERSEY, HOW TO SELL THAT POWER, AND THEN IN A FEW YEARS FROM NOW, WE WILL HAVE WIND FARMS OPERATING OFF THE COAST OF OUR COUNTRY.

>> IT IS BIG NEWS.

>> Reporter: THE COMMERCIAL AND FINANCE DIRECTOR FOR ATLANTIC SHORES, ONE OF THE RECIPIENTS IN LAST WEEK'S AUCTION SAYS IT IS THE COMPANY'S SECOND LEASE IN THE AREA.

>> IT IS UP TO US TO DEVELOP THESE IN SUCH A WAY THAT THE COMMUNITY WILL BENEFIT, LOCAL COMMUNITIES CAN BENEFIT, MORE DIVERSE COMMUNITIES CAN BENEFIT, TRADITIONALLY UNDERSERVED POPULATION SO THAT NOT ONLY DO WE CREATE HUNDREDS AND THOUSANDS OF JOBS, BUT THAT ALSO IT WILL TAKE PLACE IN THE STATES THAT THESE PROJECTS ARE DEVELOPED FOR AND PREFERABLY IN THE COMMUNITIES WHERE WE ULTIMATELY LAND THE POWER AND ULTIMATELY THE POWER IS GOING TO BE PRODUCED FOR.

>> Reporter: THERE ARE CONCERNS ABOUT NEGATIVE IMPACT IT COULD HAVE ON MARINE LIFE.

>> WE HAVE 23 DIFFERENT SPECIES OF WHALES AND DOLPHINS OFF OUR COAST WE HAVE 300 SPECIES OF FISH.

WE HAVE 350 SPECIES OF BIRD THAT ALL DEPEND VERY MUCH ON THIS ECOSYSTEM.

WE ARE GOING INTO A MASSIVE INDUSTRIALIZATION WITHOUT ANY CONSIDERATION OF A PILOT SCALE PROJECT TO KIND OF DETERMINE HOW CAN WE MINIMIZE THE DAMAGE THAT WILL BE DONE TO MARINE LIFE WE ARE NOT AGAINST OFFSHORE WIND.

WE ARE AGAINST THIS MASSIVE INDUSTRIALIZATION WITHOUT CAREFUL CONSIDERATION OF WHAT DEVELOPING 1 MILLION ACRES OF OUR OCEAN ENVIRONMENT WILL DUE TO THE MARINE LIFE.

>> THE GREATEST THREAT TO OUR OCEANS IS NOT WINDMILLS.

IT IS CLIMATE CHANGE.

OUR OCEANS ARE WARMING MORE AND MORE EVERY DAY BECAUSE OF GREENHOUSE GASES THAT ARE BEING EMITTED FROM FOSSIL FUELS.

THAT MEANS THE OCEAN IS BECOMING MORE ACID, CORAL REEFS ARE DYING AND WITH IT, SPECIES ARE GOING EXTINCT.

AND WINDMILLS ARE AN IMPORTANT PART OF HOW WE COMBAT THAT.

50% OF THE OXYGEN WE BREATHE COMES ROUGHLY FROM THE OCEAN.

SO THE OCEAN IS CRITICALLY IMPORTANT FOR US FOR OUR HUMANITY.

>> Reporter: GOVERNOR MURPHY HOPES TO DEVELOP 7500 MEGAWATTS OF OFFSHORE WIND ENERGY BY 2035 WITH THE GOAL OF 100% CLEAN ENERGY BY 2050.

THE NEXT ROUND OF OFFSHORE WIND PROJECTS IS EXPECTED TO BE ANNOUNCED IN JANUARY.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I'M MELISSA ROSE COOPER.

>>> TODAY MARKS THE DEADLINE FOR RESIDENTS TO APPLY TO THE EXCLUDED NEW JERSEYANS FUND A $40 MILLION POT OF FEDERAL MONEY THAT OFFERS ONE-TIME PAYMENTS OF UP TO $4000 PER HOUSEHOLD FROM DOCUMENTED IMMIGRANTS AND OTHERS EXCLUDED FROM RURAL PANDEMIC ASSISTANCE.

AS OF TODAY, MORE THAN 35,000 APPLICATIONS HAVE BEEN SUBMITTED.

WITHIN 4200 HAVE BEEN APPROVED AND CHECKS TOTALING $10 MILLION HAVE BEEN SENT OUT.

THE VAST MAJORITY OF APPLICATIONS STILL HAVE YET TO BE PROCESS.

IMMIGRANT ADVOCATE GROUPS HELPED WITH CLINICS THROUGH THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY TO TRY TO GET AS MANY RESIDENTS APPLY BEFORE THE DEADLINE.

THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE AS IF THE ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS EXCEEDS THE $40 MILLION CAP THE STATE WILL SPEND MORE FEDERAL FUNDING TO CUT THEM CHECKS.

>>> LEGISLATORS IN TRENTON ARE TACKLING THE HIGH COST OF LIVING IN OUR STATE.

RHONDA SCHAFFLER JOINS US WITH THE DETAILS ON A PATENT TOP PACKET OF BILLS.

>> Reporter: THE BUZZWORD IN THE STATE LEGISLATOR IS AFFORDABILITY.

TODAY THE BUDGETS APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE CONSIDERED A SERIES OF BILLS DESIGNED TO KEEP MORE MONEY IN YOUR WALLET.

ONE BILL INCREASES DISTRIBUTIONS TO MUNICIPALITIES FROM AN ENERGY TAX RECEIPT, PROPERTY TAX RELIEF FUND.

THOSE PAYMENTS DESIGNED TO DECREASE THE MUNICIPAL PROPERTY TAX LEVY NEW JERSEYANS HAVE TO PAY.

ANOTHER BILL APPROVED BY THE COMMITTEE WOULD PROVIDE SOME TAX RELIEF TO RENTERS.

MICHELE, PRESIDENT AND SEE CEO SAYS THE BILLS ARE A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTIONS.

>> THOSE BILLS BEFORE THE LEGISLATURE, IF THEY ADVANCE AND THE GOVERNOR SIGNS THEM THEY WILL BE THE BEGINNING OF THE ATTEMPT TO SEE SOME OR FORM AND FOR EXAMPLE, PROPERTY TAX RELIEF BUT THESE ARE BABY STEPS.

WE NEED A LOT OF THESE BABY STEPS TO GET SOME GOOD DISTANCE ON THIS.

>> Reporter: IN THE MEANTIME A BILL TO INDEX STATE INCOME TAX RATES TO INFLATION IS ALSO APPROVED EVEN AS THERE WERE CONCERNS OVER THE COST.

>>> NEW JERSEY GAS PRICES AVERAGING ABOUT $3.65 ACCORDING TO AAA AND THEY COULD GO HIGHER STILL.

WHAT WE DON'T YET KNOW IS IF THE PRICE INCREASE WILL RESULT IN A SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF PEOPLE DRIVING LESS.

NEW JERSEY SETS ITS GAS TAX RATE EACH YEAR BASED ON FUEL CONSUMPTION SO IT IS SOMETHING THAT IS WATCHED CLOSELY AS BUDGET AND FINANCE WRITER, JOHN REITMEYER EXPLAINS.

>> IF PRICES GET TOO HIGH THEN THAT CHANGES CONSUMER BEHAVIOR NAMELY CONSUMERS DRIVE LESS AND BUY LESS GAS AND THAT MEANS LESS TAX COLLECTION OVERALL WHICH PUTS US IN A POSITION THE SUMMER WHERE THE DAX GAS TAX GOES UP.

>> PROCEEDS FROM THE TAX FIND THE STATES TRANSPORTATION TRUST FUND.

>>> WE CONTINUE TO SEE A LOT OF VOLATILITY IN FINANCIAL MARKETS PICTURE OF THE CLOSING NUMBERS FOR TODAY FROM WALL STREET.

I'M RHONDA SCHAFFLER AND THOSE ARE YOUR TOP BUSINESS NEWS STORIES.

TEAR >>> SUPPORT FOR THE BUSINESS REPORT IS SPONSORED BY FIELD MERCHANTS OF WORKING TO BUILD PROSPERITY FOR MORE THAN 150 YEARS.

VISIT CHAMBER S NJ .COM.

>>> THAT DOES IT FOR US TONIGHT BUT TUNE IN WEDNESDAY ONLINE FOR ONE OF OUR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS NEWS VIRTUAL ROUNDTABLES LOOKING AT WAREHOUSE SCOPE IN NEW JERSEY.

OUR WRITING CONSTRUED CONTRIBUTED EXPLORES THE CONSTRUCTION BOOM IN SOME OPPOSITION SURROUNDING IT, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2nd, AT 4:00 P.M. HAD TO NJTVONLINE.ORG TO REGISTER.

I'M RAVEN SANTANA.

THANKS FOR BEING WITH US TONIGHT AND WE WILL SEE YOU BACK HERE AGAIN TOMORROW.

>>> THE MEMBERS OF THE NEW JERSEY EDUCATION FOUNDATION.

MAKING PUBLIC SCHOOLS GREAT.

RWJ BARNABAS HEALTH.

LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.

AND ORSTEAD, COMMITTED TO SUSTAINABLE CLEAN ENERGY FUTURE FOR NEW JERSEY.

>>> NJM INSURANCE GROUP HAS BEEN SERVING NEW JERSEY POLICYHOLDERS FOR MANY YEARS.

WHO ARE NEW JERSEY POLICYHOLDERS?

MEN AND WOMEN WHO KEEP THE GARDEN STATE GROWING, BUSINESS LEADERS, CARETAKERS OF OUR HISTORIC LANDMARKS, AND THE CUSTODIANS OF OUR PUBLIC SAFETY.

THE PEOPLE WHO MAKE OUR STATE A GREAT PLACE TO CALL HOME.

NJM.

WE'VE GOT NEW JERSEY COVERED.