Despite the fact that the Bayshore Regional Sewerage Authority is facing both a lower court and appeals court challenge to the 386-foottall industrial wind turbine they hope to install at their plant in Union Beach, they are pushing ahead with plans to have the wind turbine trucked to their facility. However, to allow for this to occur poses some very serious and unnecessary risks.
On this side of the Raritan River, seven wide and heavy loads weighing as much as 168,000 pounds each would be trucked down Routes 9 and 35 through Sayreville, South Amboy and Old Bridge— then onto local streets at Cliffwood Avenue through Aberdeen, Matawan, Keyport, Hazlet and Union Beach. High Street in Matawan is probably the road most vulnerable to damage, as trucks would travel over a tiny bridge leading through soft marsh before arriving at Main Street.
Although much of the route is over county or state roads, the sewer and storm-drain systems that run along the roads are the financial responsibility of the local towns, and they will be at risk. Foundations close to the roadways will experience significant vibration, and emergency services may be blocked if needed. All towns along the route should consider requiring that BRSA document the current condition of their infrastructure and insure that bonds are in place to cover the full replacement costs of any damage in a timely manner. Towns can ill afford to contribute to the cost of any damage, and BRSAis likely to demand a discount for wear and tear. This documenting before and after should be done at BRSA expense.
In a previous 2010 ruling by Judge Tassini that enjoined Union Beach from enforcing or taking any action under its wind turbine ordinance, Tassini warned the BRSA that if it had the wind turbine delivered before all court actions were settled in their favor, their possession of the turbine could not be used as a legal defense in a future trial. In other words, if they eventually lose in court, they can’t claim that because it’s on their property already that clinches the deal. Some judge in the future might very well require them to remove it. Therefore, it would be fiscal malfeasance of the highest order on the part of BRSAand its commissioners to put the ratepayers at risk in this manner. A similar situation already exists at the Rahway Valley Sewerage Authority where a methane capture power plant will likely be abandoned because an independent audit revealed it’s a big money loser. Perhaps the BRSA should undergo a similar audit.
The cost to store and provide security for this $7 million piece of equipment at the sewage plant until and if BRSA prevails in court would have to be borne by the ratepayers. This is especially tenuous with the predicted high incidence of weather events expected during this hurricane season. BRSA sits in a flood zone, and this would pose an unnecessary risk. It’s not clear if BRSA would qualify for flood insurance for the turbine.
Lastly, the six BRSA commissioners were appointed to be advocates for their towns. Instead, their loyalties are with the independent authority they draw their stipend and status from. As Gov. Chris Christie has said on several occasions, these authorities often act as shadow governments without oversight. The people’s best interests are served only if BRSAdelays any plans for trucking until the matter is finally resolved in the courts.
Bart Sutton Bill Heller www.noturbine.com Union Beach