Natural Gas Pipeline through the Pinelands Gains Opposition

For Immediate Release

April 14, 2015

Contact Jeff Tittel 609-558-9100

Natural Gas Pipeline through the Pinelands Gains Opposition

The proposed New Jersey Natural Gas (NJNG) pipeline through Burlington, Monmouth, and Ocean counties is gaining opposition after the company filed a petition with the Board of Public Utilities. The 28-mile, 30 inch pipeline would begin in Chesterfield, Burlington County and run through the Pinelands to the shore to connect to the utility system in Manchester Township, Ocean County. Towns like Chesterfield have gained traction in opposition to the project already. Chesterfield issued a resolution to urge the BPU to deny the project until issues such as the impact on the environment and surrounding communities are addressed.

“The NJNG pipeline will cut not only create an ugly scar through the Pinelands, but it will destroy important habitat, pollute high quality streams, rivers, and cut across important C1 waterways. This pipeline will promote fracking, add to air pollution, and safety concerns to the surrounding communities. It is critical for people and towns to come out and start the fight against this destructive pipeline. We need to come out and show the BPU that they have to do their job, protecting our environment and water supply,” said Jeff Tittel, Director of the New Jersey Sierra Club.

Transco Williams, the nation’s largest pipeline company plans to service the Garden State Expansion project to provide up to 180,000 dekatherms per day of natural gas service to NJNG. The project has two phases: to establish the new delivery point, the installation of a new compressor station, meter and regulating station in Burlington County. It will also require modifications and the addition of compression at an existing compressor station to run gas through the Pinelands to Manchester Township.

“There is no need for this pipeline other than to promote fracking and the burning of fossil fuels that impact clean water and promote climate change. Pennsylvania gets the money, New York gets the gas, and we get the pipe. This line not only threatens the neighborhoods it passes through but threatens our environment,” said Tittel.

Chesterfield has raised concerns that the proposed pipeline will affect 55 homes and businesses, the township's current and proposed municipal complex, police station, firehouse and emergency squad headquarters. Other towns including North Hanover, Plumsted and even Monmouth County passed resolutions urging the BPU to meet with residents before NJNG submitted its application. They also urged the BPU to consider alternative routes including federal lands or a current Jersey Central Power & Light right-of-way.

“This pipeline is unneeded and unnecessary. 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 pipeline runs through preserved farmland impacting soil and crops hurting farms financially,” said Tittel.

More natural gas lines create a higher demand for fracking and dirty infrastructure. These pipelines are bringing natural gas from the Marcellus Region of Pennsylvania throughout New Jersey down to the Jersey coast. Natural gas extraction involves injecting huge amounts of water and chemicals in rock formations that can pollute surrounding aquifers and waterways. The Delaware River, which supplies the drinking water for 15 million people, could be at risk if fracking continues in the region. The Pinelands, a UN biosphere reserve and one of the largest sources of fresh drinking water on the east coast are also at risk if this NJNG pipeline is approved.

Transmission incidents have become all too common and these towns are concerned a rupture or leak could have serious consequences. Since 2006 Transco’s pipelines have been involved in at least 50 gas transmission incidents. In 2013, an incident occurred at their pipeline in Branchburg, New Jersey, injuring 13 workers. Last year, Transco experienced two major incidents at pipeline facilities. In West Virginia, a pipeline exploded burning down 2 acres of forest. In Wyoming a pipeline caught on fire resulting in the evacuation of 95 residents.

“This is the wrong project in the wrong place. This pipeline is unneeded, unnecessary, hurts the environment and is dangerous. It must be stopped,” stated Tittel.