Bill Text: NJ SR22 | 2016-2017 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Opposes PennEast Pipeline project in NJ.
Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2016-02-08 - Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Economic Growth Committee [SR22 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2016-SR22-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Senator SHIRLEY K. TURNER
District 15 (Hunterdon and Mercer)
SYNOPSIS
Opposes PennEast Pipeline project in NJ.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
A Senate Resolution opposing the PennEast Pipeline project in New Jersey.
Whereas, The PennEast Pipeline Company is proposing to construct the PennEast Pipeline to bring Marcellus shale gas to natural gas customers in Pennsylvania and New Jersey; and
Whereas, The proposed 108-mile, 36-inch diameter PennEast Pipeline will run from Luzerne County in northern Pennsylvania to Transco's pipeline interconnect near Pennington, Mercer County, New Jersey; and
Whereas, There are many critical environmental resources including public water supplies, wetlands, marshes, rivers, forests, protected and preserved areas, threatened and endangered species, and other natural resources that would be impacted by the proposed pipeline, in addition to residents of local communities along the proposed pipeline route that may be negatively affected by the development, construction, and ongoing operation of the pipeline; and
Whereas, The PennEast Pipeline project will have a significant impact on privately-owned lands including farms, businesses, and residences, and may lower the value of surrounding properties in the communities along the proposed pipeline route; and
Whereas, Interstate natural gas pipelines, such as the PennEast Pipeline project, are regulated by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, and the law requires operators to obtain a federal Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity, in addition to various state and local permits, before any pipeline facilities can be built; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the Senate of the State of New Jersey:
1. This House objects to and opposes the PennEast Pipeline project as proposed because of the negative impact it could have on the environment and surrounding communities it will transgress. This House urges the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to reject the project for the same or other appropriate reasons, but if it does approve it, to grant the approval only after all of the environmental and other related concerns of the State and affected communities are addressed and satisfied and appropriate safeguards are put in place to protect the environment and surrounding communities.
2. Copies of this
resolution, as filed with the Secretary of State, shall be transmitted by the
Secretary of the Senate to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, the
Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, the New
Jersey Board of Public Utilities, and the Delaware River Basin Commission.
STATEMENT
This resolution objects to and opposes the PennEast Pipeline project as proposed, because of the negative impact it could have on the environment and surrounding communities it will transgress. The resolution also urges the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to reject the project for the same or other appropriate reasons, but if it does approve it, to grant the approval only after all of the environmental and other related concerns of the State and affected communities are addressed and satisfied and appropriate safeguards are put in place to protect the environment and surrounding communities.
The PennEast Pipeline Company has proposed a 108-mile, 36-inch diameter natural gas pipeline that will extend from Luzerne County in northern Pennsylvania to an interconnect with Transco's pipeline near Pennington, Mercer County, New Jersey. The company has initiated the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission pre-filing process and plans to file a formal application in the third quarter of 2015. If approved, pipeline construction could begin in spring 2017 and the pipeline could be operational in November 2017.
