Township Council Discusses Pilgrim Pipeline, Chatham-based Group Makes Presentation In Opposition

On Monday, Dec. 15, the Livingston Township Council held a conference meeting to discuss the Pilgrim Pipeline development.

During the conference meeting, a Chatham-based grassroots organization in opposition of the pipeline made a presentation to the council. The presentation was delivered by Brendan Keating and Katey DePinto, members of the group called “Chatham Citizens”, according to TAPinto.net.

According to NJ.com, the Pilgrim Pipeline would carry volatile oil through seven New Jersey counties over 178 miles from Linden to Albany, New York.

DePinto said the pipeline is not mandated by the state of New Jersey and has no benefit to Livingston. She said the Pilgrim Pipeline, a startup venture, will be using “your land to pass the oil through,” according to TAPinto.net.

Additionally, Livingston mayor Michael Rieber and councilwoman Deborah Shapiro are against the pipeline, claiming there is no upside for Livingston, TAPinto.net said.

Furthermore, on Wednesday, State Senate Republican leader Thomas Kean Jr. and Sen. Richard Codey announced they have introduced a resolution opposing the pipeline, NJ.com reports. Codey said the pipeline would pose a significant threat to public safety and the environment, as it would pass through densely-populated and environmentally sensitive areas.