Date : Tue, 31 Mar 2015 11:37:40 -0400
For Immediate Release
March 24, 2015
Contact Jeff Tittel, 609-558-9100
More False Claims Issued in another PennEast Report
Today, the PennEast Pipeline Company issued another flawed report claiming energy market savings specifically for energy users in the region. The study promised $890 million savings in energy costs based on the 2013-2014 temperatures. However, it is impossible to ensure residents' pockets would directly benefit. The PennEast Pipeline is 110 mile pipeline 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.
"The new claim by PennEast is more hot air. The consumer savings are false assumptions since the price of natural gas is set by the overall market, not just in one area. There will not be a reduction in price since natural gas is a commodity and the price is set nationally. Also, there are other pipelines coming on line bringing gas to the region including TGP, Columbia, and Transco. PennEast's report does not even take those other pipelines into account," said Jeff Tittel, Director of the New Jersey Sierra Club.
"New Jersey plants were already burning gas and the additional electrical costs were based on peak demand, not on gas availability. There is no guarantee the gas from this pipeline would stay here. It could just as easily be exported from the Cove Point LNG Terminal in Maryland. This report is about as accurate as the phony PennEast-Drexel University report paid for by PennEast to professors with a conflict of interest. The reason PennEast keeps spinning with reports is because the public opposes this pipeline. This pipeline is unneeded, unnecessary and unwanted. We need this destructive pipeline like we need another flood," said Tittel.
The "Energy Market Savings" report was issued after another inaccurate study in February that similarly boasted 100 permanent jobs, without considering economic impacts on the region's most important sectors. Last month, the " Economic Impact Report and Analysis" co-authored by the PennEast Pipeline Company and Drexel University received vast opposition, not only for its inaccurate analysis, but for a serious conflict of interest.
"Instead of being an independent college doing independent work, the university seems to be for sale. The Chairman of the Board and former CEO of UGI on the advisory board is a conflict of interest that makes this report a sham. Drexel University is acting more like Drexel Burnham Lambert, the disgraced former Wall Street firm. The only difference between them is, instead of peddling junk bonds, they are peddling a junk report. It is disgraceful that a university is willing to sell it integrity to the highest bidder. If they actually look at the real economics of the PennEast Pipeline the negative financial impacts far outweigh 98 permanent jobs. The economy of the region tourism, farming, fisheries and property are at risk," said Tittel.
"The pipeline will not save consumers money or create jobs; instead it will create negative economic impacts. The pipeline cuts through scenic areas and farmlands impacting tourism and the arts. The tourism industry in the Delaware Valley is worth billions of dollars, impacting communities like Lambertville and Frenchtown. The pipeline runs through preserved farmland impacting soil and crops hurting farms financially. The agriculture and fishing industry will be impacted, both are worth hundreds of millions of dollars. For 98 jobs and false claims for consumer savings' we will ruin the Delaware Valley and all people love about it," said Tittel.
"For more than 50 years, state local and even the federal government have put in place; laws, policies and programs to protect the Delaware Valley. This pipeline turns all of that on its head. State laws include the Highlands Act, State Planning Act, Wetlands Act, and millions of dollars for open space. FERC has not looked at the impacts under federal laws like Delaware Basin Commission Compact, the Delaware River Wild and Scenic National Park Service designation, Clean Air Act, Safe Drinking Water Act, Endangered Species Act, Historic Preservation Laws, and a dozen other laws. This pipeline violates all of those policies and all the safeguards put in place to protect this valley," said Tittel.
"We believe that this pipeline violates the Clean Water Act and cannot meet the criteria for 404 permits. Also this pipeline cannot meet the requirement for a 401 water quality permit. The reason is because of the amount of high quality streams, wetlands, and rivers it is crossing through. Many of these streams carry anti-degradation criteria. The 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. Therefore the permit should not be granted," said Tittel.
"There are significant air quality impacts that have not been addressed regarding the pipeline and pumping stations. We do not believe the pipeline would meet the criteria for air quality permits. More than half of the pipeline route is going through public open space. This is land paid for by the tax payers and held in the public trust. This pipeline is going through historic areas and past historic sites. There are areas where General Washington and his army camped and marched including a road that is still intact from the colonial time right outside Lambertville. This pipeline deliberately targets waterways, environmentally sensitive areas and parks. The permit should be rejected," said Tittel.
"The PennEast pipeline will have devastating environmental impacts, cutting a scar through environmentally sensitive land and open spaces. This pipeline will promote fracking, add to air pollution, and safety concerns to the surrounding communities. 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. All together this pipeline will be cutting through 39 parks, 88 waterways, 44 wetlands, and 33 farms and other open space areas." said Tittel.
"This is a threat to the Delaware Valley, our communities, and our homes. This is about the environment and safety. The only option is no build option," said Jeff Tittel, Director of the New Jersey Sierra Club.