For Immediate Release
September 10, 2012 Contact: Jeff Tittel, Director, 609-558-9100
PSEG Taking Risky Bet on Power Line Preconstruction PSEG has started preconstruction clearing on the Susquehanna-Roseland line under their right-of-way maintenance permits.They are starting this work at their own risk as they do not have federal approvals from the National Park Service, which Sierra Club and other groups will challenge.They do not have DEP permits either for work in regulated areas.The Sierra Club contacted DEP enforcement in early August to ensure current work did not extend into regulated areas that have not received approvals and we will continue monitoring their activities.PSEG is taking a risky bet because if they do not get federal or DEP approvals or our court challenge of the BPU approval is successful, they will have wasted tax payer money.PSEG is starting now under their general maintenance approvals for the right of way, not because the project has been green lighted.They are trying to rush to do it in case PJM pulls the plug on the project just like it did with the PATH and MAPP lines.
"The reason PSEG is rushing ahead to do this is because the chips are stacking up against them as similar transmission line projects are cancelled, energy demand continues to drop, and demand response programs become even more successful.They are doing this so that they can go to a judge or PJM the grid operator and say you cannot cancel this line because we already spent ratepayer money on it.They are hedging their bets,"said Jeff Tittel, *Director, NJ Sierra Club*. The Susquehanna-Roseland line is unnecessary as we improve our energy efficiency and demand response programs and as energy demand drops.The line will bring dirty coal-fired energy into New Jersey while cutting across our public lands.The Susquehanna-Roseland line is a major infrastructure project that raises electricity rates, increases our dependence on fossil fuels, and does not increase grid reliability.Just weeks ago the grid operator PJM announced the cancellation of two similar transmission expansion projects, the Mid Atlantic Power Pathway (MAPP) and the Potomac Appalachian Transmission Highline (PATH).The cancellation of the lines was based on falling demand, new generation plants, and the efficiency of demand response programs, the same issues opponents to the Susquehanna-Roseland line have raised.
"We are seeing a drop in energy demand as a result of demand response and energy efficiency programs and we are seeing more local clean energy sources supplying New Jersey.We do not need transmission expansion projects to meet our energy needs, especially the Susquehanna-Roseland line which will destroy our public lands for corporate profit," *said Kate Millsaps, program assistant, NJ Sierra Club*.
-- Kate Millsaps Program Assistant NJ Chapter of the Sierra Club 609-656-7612