Date : Tue, 31 Mar 2015 11:39:16 -0400
For Immediate Release
March 26, 2015
Contact Jeff Tittel 609-558-9100
We Applaud Morris County for Opposing the Pilgrim Pipeline
Last night, the all-republican Morris County Board of Freeholders passed a resolution opposing Pilgrim Pipeline by a unanimous vote. The Pilgrim Pipeline would carry Bakken crude, which is one of the most explosive types of oil in the world, through the Ramapo and the Highlands. However Bakken crude is transported: by pipe, train, or barge, it is a ticking time bomb. That is why Morris has become the third county to pass a resolution along with 34 other towns opposing the pipeline, including 27 out of 28 towns along the pipeline route, and the State Assembly.
"The momentum against The Pilgrim Pipeline keeps building with Morris County just passing a resolution against this harmful pipeline. We applaud Morris County for standing up for the environment and clean water. The timing of resolution was a rebuttal to the Governor who on Monday gave some support for this Pipeline. Governor Christie seems more concerned with the concerns of Big Oil than people, towns or the Freeholders of his home County. The Governor at one time served as Morris County Freeholder making the county's resolution even more important," said Jeff Tittel, Director of the New Jersey Sierra Club
"If the Pilgrim Pipeline were to be built in New Jersey, it would be a disaster waiting to happen. Counties and towns near and along the route are coming out in opposition because they have seen the devastating impacts from pipeline leaks and are well aware of the risks. That is why 34 towns have publicly opposed the pipeline, and now 3 counties, including the Governor's own home county. It is not only local governments passing resolutions against the pipeline, but even the N.J. State Assembly has passed legislature against it. PSE&G also stated they will not let them use the utilities right of way. The oily logic' isn't only about fossil fuel use; we are talking about a threat to our drinking water supply. If we had similar spills like the ones in North Dakota and Montana, it could have serious consequences on our environment, fisheries, ecosystem, and more importantly our water. A spill of this magnitude in New Jersey would impact the drinking water for close to 3 million people," said Tittel.
"10,000 gallons could pollute more than 40 billion gallons of water. It could mean that water supply intakes on critical water supply rivers like the Passaic, Ramapo, and Pompton could be closed for weeks if not longer until a spill is cleaned up. There would also be a tremendous impact to groundwater impacting dozens towns drinking water in Highlands and Buried Valley acquirers. No matter how new a pipeline is, all pipelines are prone to human error, accidents, and spills. We need to reject the various pipelines around New Jersey to protect our environment, communities, and water supply. This month's latest spill was in North Dakota, the last one was in the Yellowstone River. The Highlands is like our Yellowstone, but as you know is more important because of all the people who depend on the drinking water from the Highlands region," said Tittel.
North Dakota Bakken Shale oil is one of the most explosive types of oil in the world. It is dangerous because volatile compounds are left in, instead of taken out because it would cost more to remove.
"Devastating incidents around the country raise many concerns regarding the transportation of the dangerous Bakken crude whether by rail, barge, or pipeline. They could build facilities to remove this compound, but it's cheaper to transport them through our communities. Gasoline cannot be moved by rail, the same way Bakken is yet Bakken is more volatile and flammable. Whether it is traveling by rail, barge or pipeline, it is a disaster waiting to happen endangering our families, property and environment," said Tittel.
The Sierra Club is currently suing US Department of Transportation in a Federal Court to ban these dangerous rail tanker cars.
"There are also hundreds of Bakken oil trains coming through New Jersey every year. Each train is carrying dozens and dozens of Bakken oil rail cars. They are cutting through some of the most densely populated areas not only our state, but in our country. It's in every part of New Jersey. Not only do trains go through areas like Linden, but also Central, and South Jersey like the ones going to the Paulsboro Refinery. Many of these rail lines themselves are well over 100 years old with safety problems on their own. Two years ago, a derailment occurred in Paulsboro spilling vinyl chloride. If it had it been Bakken crude, the spill could have been a calamity. We don't have enough enforcement or inspectors for the oil trains at the federal or state level. We can't even find out from the Christie Administration where these trains are going and there is no notice to the towns when the shipments are coming through," said Tittel.
"There is no safe way to transport Bakken crude rail, barge or pipeline that is why public opposition and government opposition is growing. We need to stop this fossil "fuelishness" and should keep Bakken crude where it belongs, in the ground," said Jeff Tittel, Director of the New Jersey Sierra Club.