Outgoing Environmental Chief Reflects on Murphy Administration’s Legacy

January 16, 2026 | njspotlightnews.org

As Gov. Phil Murphy prepares to leave office on Tuesday, so is one of his most forward-facing and influential cabinet members: Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Shawn LaTourette.

LaTourette joined the department at the start of the Murphy administration in 2018 and took over as commissioner in 2021. He helped to steer New Jersey through intensifying climate threats, rolling out some of the nation’s toughest rules on flood zone development and drinking water protections and leading historic pollution crackdowns. He also fought high-profile battles over environmental justice issues and fossil fuel development.

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NJ SEED: DEP Commissioners have generally viewed their job narrowly, not seeing the natural environment as only a part of an integrated “environment” of the whole state. NJ SEED members are always interested in who the Commissioner of DEP is and look forward to working with him or her to achieve balance in the efforts to protect the natural environment.