The Township Committee followed through with its promise and passed a resolution last week, requesting that natural gas company Transco do an environmental impact study and uphold its restoration promise
By Charley Falkenburg, Staff Writer
MONTGOMERY — The Township Committee followed through with its promise and passed a resolution last week, requesting that natural gas company Transco do an environmental impact study and uphold its restoration promises should its proposed pipeline expansion project move forward.
Transco’s “Skillman Loop” proposal includes having the Williams Company build a 42-inch natural gas pipeline that would run a little more than six miles in length, spanning through Princeton, Montgomery and Hillsborough.
In Montgomery, 5.3 miles would be running adjacent to an already existing 36-inch pipeline and would directly impact about 50 homeowners and the township’s preserved open space and farm land.
The project’s application only needs federal approval from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), but like the Princeton Council, Montgomery’s elected officials passed the resolution to protect the community’s environment and make sure any land disturbed as a result from the project would be adequately repaired as promised by Transco.
”We have to make sure that wasn’t just a dog and pony show and that they (Transco) does what they said they were committed to,” said Mayor Ed Trzaska at the meeting.
A main component of Montgomery’s resolution requires Transco to do an environmental impact study to allay concerns around the potential negative impacts the construction could cause in the township.
Under the piece of legislation, the township is asking FERC to complete an environmental impact statement to assess and mandate full mitigation of any environmental impacts due to the construction. It also asks Transco and FERC to create a township-approved hazard mitigation plan that would serve to hold Transco accountable for all restorations, including replanting trees and plants taken down and reconstructing all impacted roadways and township infrastructure.
The resolution also asks that Transco try to use equipment that would minimize soil compaction and to monitor noise levels so they don’t exceed the local noise ordinance. In addition, it also requests a future public meeting with Transco to talk about local impacts on the community as well as get residents educated on this kind of project and its track record.
Mayor Trzaska acknowledged that the local government had little influence in the project’s approval process, but that even so, the resolution wouldn’t be in vain.
”We can make a significant impact on how the work is conducted in Montgomery,” he said. “If the pipeline is approved, we will make sure our residents are full informed of the details and protected as much as possible.”
The resolution was collaborative effort between the elected officials and the township’s Environmental Commission and Open Space Committee.
Clem Fiori, the chair of the Open Space Committee, came before the committee to applaud the resolution.
”I think this is a very good resolution for you to pass,” he added.
Township Administrator Donato Nieman also gave the resolution a thumbs up, citing it accurately described the obligations the community wanted Transco to be responsible of should the project get approved.
Mr. Nieman had gone to the project’s most recent public hearing in Hillsborough and came back with the impression that there would be plenty of time left for input despite the proposal’s end-of-June deadline for public comment.
”This is the first step in a long process, which would allow for comments on all phases of the approval process,” said Mr. Nieman. “They don’t want anyone to think this is the only opportunity to make comments and that people will be able to make comments along this process no matter how many months and years it might take.”