New Jersey pipeline plans cause upset

On Friday in New Jersey, the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (BPU) said that the New Jersey Natural Gas transmission pipeline did not need municipal land use OKs to move forward.

The 30 mile pipeline project was approved last month.

The next steps before the utility can move forward with construction are the permits from the state Department of Environmental Protection and permits to open the road to build it.

New Jersey Natural Gas says the proposed high pressure transmission pipe, which runs from Chesterfield Township in Burlington County to North Hanover, Upper Freehold, Plumsted and Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst before it connects with the utility's system in Manchester, will feed the southern portion of the utility's service territory in Ocean and Burlington counties.

The pipeline will provide a source of natural gas for the utility's system that serves existing customers, and is not a means to fuel an expansion, the company said.

Opponents disagree and are concerned about pipeline companies ignoring local input and approving natural gas pipelines across the Pinelands.

The BPU’s action allows the project to move along without a say by six communities along the proposed route.

The board’s 5-0 approval exempts the project from municipal land-use laws. Two towns had objected to the project.

Edited from various sources by Elizabeth Corner

Sources: NJ.com, app.com, Philly Voice

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