N.J. Activists Worry As Trump Advances Keystone, Dakota Pipelines

President Donald Trump signed executive orders Tuesday to advance the Keystone XL and Dakota Access pipelines, a move that could set a dangerous precedent regarding whether or not the controversial Pilgrim Pipeline is built in New Jersey and New York.

Trump signed two orders Tuesday regarding the pipelines, stating they "serve the national interest."

The orders directs the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers "in an expedited manner" approval to construct and operate the 1,100-mile-long Dakota Access Pipeline, which is more than 90 percent built.

A similar directive was made regarding the Keystone pipeline, a 1,100-mile-long pipeline, which Trump called "a major pipeline for the importation of petroleum from Canada to the United States," that would transport crude oil from Alabama to Nebraska.

Both pipelines have been touted by apologists as being necessary and would each create thousands of jobs, increase tax benefits for counties and local communities, provide needed fossil fuels and strengthen the national economy.

"This is an ominous sign for Pilgrim pipeline since we’re concerned that he will start doing things to push through other pipelines as well," said Jeff Tittel, director of the New Jersey Sierra Club, an environmental watchdog nonprofit. "This is just the beginning of Trump’s environmental rollbacks. By pushing these two damaging pipelines through, it will set a precedent for the rest of the country."

The 178-mile underground pipeline would deliver crude oil from Albany, New York through New Jersey and the Bayway Refinery in Linden. Gasoline and heating oil would be sent back up to New York.

Thousands of people, including many Native Americans and the Ramapough Lenape of North Jersey, environmental groups, and taxpayers have spoken out against the three pipelines, saying they would damage cultural sites and destroy the environment, especially if they were to rupture.

RELATED: Residents Continue To Lobby Hard Against Pilgrim Pipeline

In North Jersey, the Pilgrim Pipeline is expected to travel through some of the state's most environmental-pristine areas, including the Highlands region and over the Ramapo River Aquifer.

"Certainly we're disappointed about what the president's actions regarding the other two pipelines and what it could mean for Pilgrim," said Mahwah Mayor William Laforet. "It's something we have a lot of concern about."

RELATED: Municipalities Create Coalition To Fight Pilgrim Pipeline

Fifteen municipalities, including Oakland and Mahwah, in Bergen, Morris, Passaic, Somerset, Essex and Union counties, formed the Municipal Pipeline Group in response to the Pilgrim Pipeline. Municipal leaders in the 28 towns along the pipeline’s proposed route passed resolutions opposing its construction.

But not everyone is against Pilgrim Pipeline.

Eight unions, and Freeholder John A. Felice formed a coalition last year to advocate for the pipeline’s construction.

“For decades we have been reliant on foreign energy. We’ve been spending billions of dollars on getting energy from people who want to kill us,” Felice previously said. “Anything that will make us more energy efficient and helps us move energy in an efficient manner I am for.”

Ramsey Mayor Deirdre Dillon said that she and the Borough Council are in favor of the pipeline.

"As a town with a railroad line passing through its Main Street, the council and I are in favor of the Pilgrim Pipeline," Dillon said. "We trust that the regulators will do their jobs when getting this project."

Send local news tips, photos, and press releases to daniel.hubbard@patch.com. Get Patch breaking news alerts sent right to your phone with our new app. Download here.

Photo by Pixabay