The construction of a natural gas pipeline that is proposed to run through Upper Freehold Township has been approved by the Pinelands Commission and condemned by the New Jersey Sierra Club.
During a meeting on Sept. 14 in Trenton, the Pinelands Commission approved the Southern Reliability Link (SRL) pipeline with a vote of 8-4, and one abstention, according to a press release from the Sierra Club.
The SRL has been proposed by New Jersey Natural Gas (NJNG). According to the utility, the pipeline “will support the safe, reliable, resilient distribution of natural gas to 83 municipalities throughout Monmouth, Ocean and Burlington counties, benefiting over one million people.”
The 30-mile project will begin in Chesterfield and continue through North Hanover, Upper Freehold Township, Plumsted Township and into NJNG’s existing system, according to the utility’s website.
Michael Kinney, the director of communications for New Jersey Natural Gas, said, “We are pleased with the outcome of the vote. New Jersey Natural Gas has worked hard to develop a route for the SRL that enhances resiliency, complies with the Pinelands Comprehensive Management Plan, benefits Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst (through which it will pass) and minimizes the impact to the environment and community.
“With this vote, the SRL has now been approved by the New Jersey Pinelands Commission, the state Board of Public Utilities (BPU) and the Department of Environmental Protection.
“Now we are focused on finalizing our outstanding road opening permits and continuing to work with Joint Base. Once we have all of the necessary permits, we will begin construction to enhance the resiliency of our system and ensure safe, reliable service for our customers,” Kinney said.
The Pinelands Commission initially approved the pipeline and was challenged by the Sierra Club and others. A court remanded the commission’s approval back to the panel and final action was taken on Sept. 14.
Jeff Tittel, director of the New Jersey Sierra Club, reacted to the vote with harsh words, saying, “The Pinelands Commission, in another dastardly vote, sold out the Pinelands and the people of New Jersey. Once again, they took the side of pipeline companies over doing their job and protecting the Pinelands. This decision is a major blow to the Pinelands, but the battle is not over yet.”
The Sierra Club is currently suing the BPU and the Pinelands Commission regarding their approval of the pipeline.
The Sierra Club said it is opposing the BPU and Pinelands Commission’s decision to allow the pipeline to destroy environmentally sensitive land and threaten communities along the route, according to the press release.
The Pinelands is the largest open space on the eastern seaboard and is recognized for its biodiversity by the United Nations. The Pinelands is the nation’s first national reserve and holds 17 trillion gallons of water in its aquifer, according to the press release.