For Immediate Release
Contact: Jeff Tittel, NJ Sierra Club, 609-558-9100
After news that B.L England will not repower with natural gas nor use the SJG Pipeline, Attorney General Grewal sent a letter to the Pinelands Commission asking for a postponement of the case, due to the changed circumstances. Grewal said that decision undermines the basis for the Pinelands Commission’s approval of the pipeline. The commission had said it approved it because it served a business in the Pinelands and would benefit people living there, and required a new application to the commission if there was any redirection of the gas from the B.L. England plant.
“The South Jersey Gas pipeline is basically dead based on the letter from the Attorney General. The reason is with the power plant closing, it violates the approval of the Pinelands Commission and the BPU. It also violates the Comprehensive Management Plan (CMP). Now that the plant closed, there is no need for a Pinelands pipeline. Attorney General Grewal is keeping the fight going against SJG Pipeline to protect the Pinelands and the people who live there,” said Jeff Tittel, Director of the New Jersey Sierra Club. “This is a big win for the environment. B.L England’s closing will also have a ripple effect on PennEast pipeline too since 20% of its gas was supposed to come from the plant.”
South Jersey Gas plans were to build their pipeline that would go through the southern part of the Pinelands to connect into the B.L. England plant, however those plans have changed due to its closing.
“The purpose of this pipeline was to build a natural gas plant in Cape May, now that purpose is hot air. SJG should have to reapply for their pipeline because the basis of its approval is no longer valid. It is critical for the Pinelands Commission act on this. The proposed SJG pipeline would cut a 22-mile long scar through the Pinelands for a powerplant that is not needed. It would impact critical drinking water for millions of people and block New Jersey’s efforts for a clean future,” said Tittel.
The PennEast Pipeline was supposed to take 20% of its gas from the B.L England Plant. The pipeline is 110 miles long that will bring natural gas from the Marcellus Region of Pennsylvania through Hunterdon and Mercer Counties in New Jersey. The pipeline will be cutting through communities, preserved open space, and farmland.
“B.L England closing is a one-two punch since both the SJG and PennEast Pipeline projects both relied on its gas. This is a victory for clean air. The south jersey plant closing should influence Governor Murphy, the BPU and the Pinelands Commission to stop the SJG pipeline altogether. The pipeline is not needed. It would cause serious damage in middle of the Pinelands and would increase climate impacts. The pipeline would also block Governor Murphy’s 100% renewable energy goals,” said Jeff Tittel, Director of the New Jersey Sierra Club. “If Governor Murphy is true to his word on climate change, then he must stop unnecessary fossil fuels projects and put a moratorium in place.”