New Jersey legislators and Camden officials gathered Friday to discuss and tout new state regulations for scrap metal facilities enacted in response to the most recent fire at EMR Recycling. On Friday morning, several officials, including Camden Mayor Victor Carstarphen, held a news conference to discuss Bill A2401, which was signed into law Wednesday by Gov. Mikie Sherrill. Crafted by Assemblyman Bill Moen, the bill aims to strengthen safety measures at scrap metal facilities to help prevent fires. “This law is a new tool in our toolbox,” Carstarphen said. Watch the full news conference in the player above The new law requires some scrap metal businesses to install heat detection equipment capable of identifying potential hot spots before fires ignite, develop fire safety plans in coordination with local fire officials, maintain public access to those plans and demonstrate compliance with enhanced fire prevention standards. “We’ve all seen what can happen in facilities that don’t have these kind safety measures in place and how the community can suffer from it,” Nash said. “Bill did great work with this legislation and was responsive to an ongoing need here in Camden and throughout the state. I also want to thank Governor Sherrill for signing this bill into law and making it a statewide safety measure.”  The legislation comes just over a month after a massive fire broke out at EMR Recycling at 2nd and Front streets on May 29. The fire burned for more than two hours, sending thick smoke across the area before firefighters brought it under control. The facility has experienced more than 12 fires over the past five years, prompting community outcry and calls for it to shut down permanently. However, the CEO of EMR and dozens of employees pushed back against the efforts to close the facility. In a letter to Carstarphen, CEO Joe Balzano acknowledged the community’s concerns, but he also noted that it is impossible to guarantee that fires will not happen, despite installing a fire suppression system and implementing other safety measures. He also pointed out the facility’s role in employing hundreds of workers, many of whom were previously incarcerated. As of June 2, EMR employed 535 New Jersey residents, of those, 191 workers live in Camden. Despite EMR’s efforts to reopen, Camden officials sought to keep the facility closed. On Tuesday, Camden City Council rejected a proposal to allow EMR to resume operations at its Waterfront South facility due to the series of fires. However, a day later, a judge ruled that EMR can reopen — overturning City Council’s decision. In the ruling, the judge outlined a series of measures that the facility must implement in order to resume operations. In addition, the new state law establishes measures aimed at preventing future fires at EMR Recycling and other scrap metal facilities across the state. Under the new legislation, metal businesses with an unprepared metal stockpile exceeding 200 tons will be required to install an on-site fire suppression system within 48 months; a scrap metal business with a stockpile exceeding 500 tons will be required to install an on-site fire suppression system within 24 months. The bill also limits material pile heights to 20 feet. “This bill is for the residents of Waterfront South, who have feared for their health and safety for far too long,” said Assemblyman Moen (D-Camden, Gloucester). “It’s for communities up and down the state where facilities have normalized toxic smoke and air quality alerts. I thank Governor Sherrill for recognizing the critical significance of this legislation. With the stroke of a pen, we are protecting our neighborhoods and advancing public health.”  NBC10 reached out to EMR regarding the new law and requirements, but we have yet to hear back. ...read more read less