New Jersey law seeks to stem pollution in minority areas

Gov. Phil Murphy signed into law Friday a measure giving state regulators power to deny development permits to businesses whose operations pollute predominantly Black and other minority communities.

Murphy, a Democrat, cast the legislation in sweeping terms, calling it historic and saying it amounted to a“monumental reform” that puts New Jersey at the forefront nationally of what is known as environmental justice legislation. He signed the bill alongside state lawmakers and U.S. Sen. Cory Booker, who has introduced similar legislation in Washington.

The new law in New Jersey — which...