BPU Hearings On NJ Natural Gas Pipeline Today

The state Board of Public Utilities has scheduled hearings today at 3 and 6 p.m. in Manchester on the New Jersey Natural Gas proposal to build a 30-mile pipeline to support the company’s infrastructure and provide backup in case there is an issue.

The hearing is an opportunity for residents from Manchester and beyond to comment on the proposal.

New Jersey Natural Gas says the pipeline “is being developed to support the safe, reliable, resilient distribution of natural gas to our customers. The SRL will provide a major interstate connection between New Jersey Natural Gas’ (NJNG) distribution system that serves customers in Ocean, Burlington and Monmouth counties and the interstate pipeline system adjacent to the New Jersey Turnpike.”

It will “help mitigate potential customer interruptions, enhance system resiliency and ensure safe, reliable natural gas service for the region,” the company says, It also says the pipeline will further support Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst and that it believes that will help keep the base from being closed.

Opponents of the pipeline, led by the Sierra Club, say the new line will destroy important habitat in the Pinelands, pollute streams and rivers, and will promote fracking, according to a report in the Courier-Post of Camden.

The hearings are being held at 3 and 6 p.m. today at the Manchester Township Municipal Building, 1 Colonial Drive, Manchester.

A representative of the BPU will preside at the hearing. The public is invited to attend and interested persons will be permitted to testify and/or make a statement of their views on the proposed petitions.

Those who cannot attend can submit comments regarding the petitions to the attention of the Honorable Irene Kim Asbury, Secretary, New Jersey Board of Public Utilities, 44 South Clinton Street, 9th Floor, P.O. Box 350, Trenton, New Jersey 08625-0350.

Comments should be identified with the heading In the Matter of the Petition of New Jersey Natural Gas Company for Approval and Authorization to Construct and Operate the Southern Reliability Link Pursuant to N.J.A.C. 14:7-1.4, Docket No. GE15040402.; In the Matter of the Petition of New Jersey Natural Gas Company for a Determination Concerning Southern Reliability Link Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40:55D-19 and N.J.S.A. 48:9-25.4”, Docket No. GO15040403.