The Holmdel Environmental Commission is suggesting that the proposed development of a New Jersey Natural Gas (NJNG) regulator station could alter the water quality in portions of Monmouth County.
The NJNG is seeking variances to construct a regulator station, access and utilities on a 16.51-acre site at 960 Holmdel Road, Holmdel, according to the commission.
The same type of facility at 970 Holmdel Road was denied by the Zoning Board of Adjustment in 2016. The NJNG is now presenting the facility on a neighboring property, according to the commission.
The NJNG is a statewide supplier of natural gas and serves more than 525,000 customers in Monmouth, Ocean, Morris, Middlesex and Burlington counties, according to its website.
The NJNG application is scheduled to come before the zoning board for a public hearing on July 11.
According to a June 11, 2018 advisory memorandum from the commission to zoning board members and the board’s professional staff, the proposed development of an NJNG regulator station could alter the quality of several Category One waterways, as follows:
• Ramanessin Brook, Holmdel, entire length, including all tributaries;
• Willow Brook, Holmdel, entire length, including all tributaries;
• Yellow Brook, Colts Neck, entire length, including all tributaries
• Mine Brook, Colts Neck, entire length, including all tributaries;
• Swimming River Reservoir, Red Bank, including all tributaries.
The commission said Category One waterways should be protected from changes to the pre-existing condition of the water.
The advisory memo states, “Water quality characteristics that are generally worse than the water quality criteria … shall be improved to maintain or provide for the designated uses where this can be accomplished without adverse impacts on organisms, communities, or ecosystems of concern.”
According to the commission, the Swimming River Reservoir, which is owned by New Jersey American Water, serves 302,000 people in the region. The reservoir serves recreational uses and provides drinking water for residents in Monmouth County.
The advisory memo goes on to state, “The commission would like to suggest that the zoning board consider requesting testimony from the applicant as to whether or not the water bodies listed above could be affected by the airborne discharge from this proposed discharge point.”
Scott Goldstein, president of Citizens for Informed Land Use (CILU), said air quality in the area could be affected if the proposed facility is constructed. CILU is a Holmdel-based organization which promotes informed and thoughtful land use decisions, according to Goldstein.
Goldstein said if a gas fire broke out at the proposed facility, emergency responders would have to extinguish the fire with firefighting foam, which he said is highly toxic.
Goldstein said that for a second time, residents and members of CILU are prepared to come before the zoning board in an effort to defeat the proposal, which he said NJNG is trying to locate on a scenic byway in Holmdel.
In describing why NJNG is proposing to construct the facility in Holmdel, Michael Kinney, director of corporate communications for NJNG, said “New Jersey Natural Gas currently operates a temporary regulator station in Holmdel and we are working with local officials to install a permanent regulator station to ensure safe, reliable service to our customers in Holmdel and surrounding communities.
“The regulator station is necessary to reduce gas pressure between the existing transmission system in Holmdel and our distribution system to maintain system integrity,” Kinney said.