New Route Targets Lambertville

For Immediate Release

February 3, 2015

Contact Jeff Tittel 609-558-9100

 New Route Targets Lambertville

Statement by Jeff Tittel Director of the New Jersey Sierra Club & Lamberville resident:

"In spite of what PennEast says the new pipeline route is worse environmentally because it will be cutting through areas that are more environmentally sensitive including more open space, historic sites, and parkland. This route will cut areas with steep slopes having a bigger impact on streams because of siltation and runoff. The new pipeline route will be crossing where the streams are wider than they were before, having a greater impact on streams and flood plains. Many of these streams are C1, meaning it will be impacting some of the highest water quality waterways in the state."

"The new route is closer to Lambertville cutting next to Swan Creek Reservoir and over Goat Hill. Even though more of the pipeline is along an existing right of way, most of the right of way is preserve land like Goat hill, Washington's Crossing State Park, D & R Canal State Park, and Baldpate Mountain. Even though it is still going through more rights of ways, however these  rights of way are cutting through environmentally sensitive areas and preserved open space. Many of these rights of ways are narrow and grown with trees. By widening these rights of ways this will cause devastating impacts, especially drilling under streams because the rights of ways now are roads and power lines, which do not involve drilling. All together this pipeline will be cutting through 39 parks, 88 waterways, 44 wetlands, and 33 farms and other open space areas. This pipeline deliberately targets waterways, environmentally sensitive areas and parks. Now it is going to be targeting Lambertville. This ugly scar that is going to be cutting through our community will be visible from miles around, impacting the view for all the people who come to Lambertville to enjoy the scenery.  This pipeline will have devastating impacts to the environment and to the community, which is why the public should have the right to a hearing and extended public comment period."

"Instead of FERC listening to the public, becoming more transparent, and open, they are doing the opposite. Rather than adding more meetings to allow the public a chance to give their input, FERC has cancelled two meetings without rescheduling. This is an outrageous abuse of power and what FERC is doing is closing the door on what should be an open process. This pipeline will have devastating environmental impacts, cutting a scar through environmentally sensitive land and open spaces. It will promote fracking, add to air pollution, and safety concerns to the surrounding communities. Instead of working for the public that pays their salaries, FERC only seems to be working for the gas and fracking industry they are supposed to be regulating. They should stop FERCing around and do their job," said Jeff Tittel, Director of the New Jersey Sierra Club.