For Immediate Release
Contact: Jeff Tittel, NJ Sierra Club, 609-558-9100
Where does Ed McGlinchey live? He resigned from the Pinelands Commission, saying that he moved to Atlantic County and could no longer represent Camden County. Last week he was nominated by Governor Christie to be appointed as a public member of the Commission. Recently discovered documents reveal that he’s been living in Atlantic County for three years under a certified legal address. This means that he was representing, and voting for, Camden County for the last few years while actually living in Atlantic County. While there, he voted to approve both the New Jersey Natural Gas (NJNG) Southern Reliability Link (SRL) Pipeline and the South Jersey Gas (SJG) Pipeline. Jeff Tittel, Director of the New Jersey Sierra Club, released the following statement:
“When Ed McGlinchey was voting for pipelines as a Camden County representative in the Pinelands Commission, documents show that he was actually living in Atlantic County. This throws a giant rock on the pond; you have to question everything the board has done. He should not have been allowed to vote push through these pipelines that Christie wants to destroy the Pinelands. McGlinchey either misrepresented himself on his federal RREM application, or should not have been eligible to vote. His votes have jeopardized the future of the Pinelands by helping advance these projects. Based on this information, his nomination to the Commission should be immediately withdrawn and the Commission itself should reopen these pipeline cases that he voted on.
“In those past three years as a Commissioner, McGlinchey voted four times to push through two dangerous and unnecessary pipelines. The New Jersey Natural Gas (NJNG) Southern Reliability Link Pipeline passed by a vote of 8 to 4. Without him, the pipeline wouldn’t have passed. The SRL would cut through the Forest Preservation Area and bring gas from outside of the Pines to the shore. It violates the Comprehensive Management Plan (CMP) and will threaten the drinking water of the Pines. We are currently in court challenging this decision and believe that his vote was illegal and the decision to approve the pipeline should not stand.
“During the vote on the South Jersey Gas (SJG) pipeline, McGlinchey was actively participating in the discussion. As he was illegally representing Camden County, this tainted the entire process. This is another pipeline that violates the CMP and should not have been approved. This line is meant to keep the dirty BL England plant, outside of the Pines, running. No communities would benefit from the gas and the line itself would cause devastation in the unique habitat. The vote to approve SJG pipeline should also be remanded back to the Commission because of McGlinchey’s deception.
“It’s outrageous that this was allowed to happen and even more outrageous that last week, Christie tried to replace commissioner Ed Lloyd with McGlinchey. This was another despicable move to side with pipeline companies over the people and environment of the Pinelands. Thanks to the large public outcry and thousands of phone calls, we managed to delay the vote for the pro-pipeline McGlinchey at the recent Senate Judiciary Committee hearing. This means Ed Lloyd stays on the Pinelands Commission for that much longer. People don’t want to see environmental champion Ed Lloyd replaced by someone who will vote to destroy the Pines. Christie is continuing to stack the Commission with his pro-development cronies before Governor-Elect Phil Murphy has a chance to make his nominations.
“Christie has always played games with the Pinelands. He dumped Mark Lohbauer as chair of the Pinelands Commission for political payback, and before that he replaced Robert Jackson who voted against the South Jersey Gas Pipeline for Robert Barr, who was a political crony. The Governor has continued his attack against anyone with an independent voice and independent action. This is another dirty political deal by the Governor to replace someone who cares about the environment with his puppet.
“With his nomination of McGlinchey, Christie has clearly selected a candidate who is more politically connected and in tune to his plans to weaken the Pinelands. We demand that Ed McGlinchey’s nomination for appointment be rescinded and the votes for the SJG and NJNG SRL Pipelines be remanded back to the Commission for a legal and thorough process. Where’s Ed McGlinchey? Trying to take care of special interests and pipelines instead of protecting the Pinelands.”