“RIPEN” Program Is Phase I In $100 Billion Climate Compensation Fund
Where there is no vision, the people perish. Proverbs 29:18
WARNING: This post is a stunt, offered in the best spirit of the YESMEN.
April 22, 2026
Trenton: The Fulop Administration used Earth Day today to announce a major new initiative, dubbed “RIPEN”, for “Riverfront Improvement Parks And Environment Network”.
Governor Fulop’s RIPEN program is designed to focus resources and planning to invest in NJ’s historic riverfront cities and towns, by integrating public parks and environmental policies to promote community revitalization.
NJ is blessed by major rivers, including the Hudson, Delaware (portions of which have been federally designated as “Wild and Scenic”), Raritan, Passaic, and Musconetcong, among others.
“For far too long, NJ’s rivers have been treated like sewers, toxic wastelands, and flooding threats” said Governor Fulop. “Starting today, we flip the script and announce a program that is based on rivers as major community and environmental assets to be cherished and invested in” concluded Gov. Fulop.
The RIPEN program is funded by the recent massive $100 billion dollar legal settlement between the State DEP and corporate climate polluters. That settlement provides billions of dollars of corporate funding to compensate the public and restore damages caused by the emissions of greenhouse gases.
The first two projects ready to go under the RIPEN program are in Phillipsburg and Trenton:
- The Trenton Project
The Trenton project will create a new Urban State Park, Duck Island State Park (DISP), along the Delaware River. The DISP will expand portions of the current D&R Canal State Park to include the former PSE&G coal power plant and surrounding former industrial properties. PSE&G has agreed to cancel plans to develop warehouses there and instead donate the former power plant property to DEP. PSE&G pledged to assume the full costs for complete demolition and a permanent cleanup of the property and adjacent industrial properties. A $100 million initial portion PSE&G’s Climate Compensation Fund liability will be dedicated to the project, including $50 million for park development and $25 million each to upgrade Trenton’s aging drinking water and sewage treatment plants. PSE&G is legally obligated to hundreds of millions more in Climate Compensation Funds, which will come from sale of PSEG assets and shareholders and will not be borne by ratepayers.
- The Phillipsburg Project
The Phillispburg project will create a new Urban History Riverfront Park along a federally designated stretch of the Wild And Scenic Delaware river. The DEP will acquire through eminent domain a 32 acre parcel currently slated for new warehouse development adjacent to the current Delaware River Park. The combined new State park will provide public access to the riverfront and include major new investments in park development to serve the people of Phillipsburg. The historic themes will be built around regional railroading heritage, including relationships with sister city, Hoboken and Liberty State Park. At least $50 million of Climate Compensation Funds have been earmarked for the project, including an additional $25 million Natural Resource Damage (NRD) settlement with DEP for decades of toxic and carbon pollution by Atlantic States Cast Iron Pipe Co. NJ-based division of McWane Inc. of Alabama.
Additionally, the Wm. Penn Foundation has pledged a $25 million expansion of their $100 million Delaware Watershed Initiative. Other NJ based Foundations, including The Dodge Foundation, The Duke Foundation, and the Fund For NJ have pledged a combined $25 million contribution. Joining the RIPEN Partnership, were several of NJ’s prominent conservation groups, including NJ Conservation Foundation, Trust For Public Lands, The Nature Conservancy, and NJ Audubon Society, who pledged an additional $10 million, plus additional land donations and technical support.
“The RIPEN” program is just the beginning” said Governor Fulop. “Over the next 6 months, my administration will roll out major new initiatives to improve the quality of life for all NJ residents and strategically adapt to the climate emergency. These programs include, at least the following:
- NJ Power Authority (NJPA)
The NJPA will assure that NJ phases out fossil fuels and fully transitions to an electric powered economy by financing and building publicly owned energy efficiency and renewable energy projects and electrifying residential and commercial buildings. The NJPA will have both financing and regulatory authority to implement climate and energy goals.
- New Divisions Of Electric Vehicles and Light Rail, To Expand NJ Transit
These new Divisions will plan, finance, and buildout NJ’s electric infrastructure and expand light rail systems to serve the entire state.
- NJ Public Housing Authority
The NJPHA will plan, finance and build 100,000 units of public housing.
- NJ Labor Just Transition Board
The NJLJTB will sure that all public projects provide union jobs and that all workers negatively impacted by the energy transition are made whole in terms of salary, benefits, and job security, including pensions and health care.
- The NJ Strategic Adjustment Program
The NJSAP will plan for the relocation of families and businesses displaced by climate catastrophe, including hurricanes, sea level rise, flooding, and wildfire.
- $1 Billion Fund To Eliminate $750 Million State Parks Maintenance Backlog
NJ State Parks have suffered neglect and a lack of investment. The Green Acres constitutional amendment diverted and eliminated hundreds of millions of dollars of previously dedicated park funding. We will restore State parks and fund deferred maintenance projects.
“I look forward to working with all the people of New Jersey to make this happen. NJ will no longer be a laggard – we will resume our position as a national leader” concluded Governor Fulop.
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