Distributing Gas, Limiting Impact: May 2nd Pipeline Conference at Ramapo College

Natural gas pipelines are having devastating impacts on communities across our state and those effects are being acutely felt right now in Mahwah as construction of the TGP Northeast Upgrade line is underway.  This community is not alone- in the last five years seven pipeline projects have been proposed or already constructed in New Jersey as a direct result of fracking in the Marcellus Shale.

Understanding the impacts of these pipelines and the state and federal regulatory process is critical in order to make changes to this system that favors the gas companies over the local communities and the environment.

That is why Sierra Club is proud to partner with Ramapo College and other concerned organizations to present the Distributing Gas, Limiting Impact Conference on May 2^nd at Ramapo College.

This all day conference will focus on the impacts of this devastating infrastructure, the state and federal approval process, and identifying next steps to bring about real reform of the system.  Full conference details are below.

Please register for free today at http://pipelineconference.eventbrite.com

Thursday, May 2^nd, 2013, Alumni Lounge, Ramapo College of NJ

Free and open to the public

Distributing Gas, Limiting Impact:

Responding to the Proliferation of Pipeline Projects

Ramapo College of New Jersey's Masters in Sustainability Studies and Environmental Studies Programs, in partnership with the New Jersey Highlands Coalition, Ramapough Conservancy, Sierra Club, Delaware Riverkeeper Network and Catskill Mountainkeeper

Statement of Purpose: Considerable attention and controversy has surrounded the development of new gas resources employing fracking technology.  Receiving considerably less attention, however, are the secondary, downstream impacts of gas distribution pipelines connecting gas extraction regions to coastal cities, new gas fired power plants and potential export terminals.  The enlargement of pipelines and the addition of bigger and new metering and compressor stations has impacted numerous communities in New Jersey and adjacent New York.  Yet, there has been scant opportunity to examine the big picture impacts of what is occurring, ranging from direct and indirect project impacts, questions of community participation, issues of monitoring and remediation  and the steps needed to mitigate and address these consequences at the project, community, state and federal levels.  The segmented review of pipelines and the sheer number of projects further impedes a comprehensive appreciation of the issue. Distributing Gas, Limiting Impact seeks to begin an overdue conversation.

8:30 – 9:00 AM Registration and Networking

 9:00 - 9:15 AM Introduction

Welcome by Ramapo President Peter Mercer. Introduction and tone of the day is set by the Michael R. Edelstein, Ph.D, Professor in the Environmental and Sustainability Studies Programs and Director, Institute for Environmental Studies, Ramapo College of NJ

9:15-10:45 AM Panel 1: Cumulative Impacts: A Highland's Snapshot

Chair: Erica Van Auken, New Jersey Highlands Coalition

Ramapo College's Environmental Studies senior capstone Environmental Assessment class, organized as Ramapo Environmental Research Collaborative (RERC), has undertaken an environmental impact assessment of cumulative pipeline impacts in the Highlands region of New Jersey.  Rather than addressing gas pipelines or line segments in isolation, this is a novel attempt to capture a comprehensive understanding of region-wide impacts. In this session, study findings are reported.

10:45 AM-12:15 PM Panel 2: The Local Community: Impacts and Efforts

Chair: Judith Sullivan, Esq. Ramapough Conservancy

Local activists have mobilized to address the intrusion of pipelines, compressor stations and similar infrastructure projects.  Their experience represents an important test of citizen and community efficacy in the permitting process and confidence in the identification, mitigation and monitoring of impacts.  This panel will explore the disconnect between the impacts identified in the FERC permitting process and those actually experienced in local communities. What is needed to improve the FERC Process and address local impacts of pipeline projects?

Chief Vincent Mann, Ramapough Lenape Nation: Disproportionate Impacts for Native People

Clare Donohue, Sane Energy: Urban prospective on pipeline infrastructure

Alex Lotorto, Energy Justice Network: Divestment and Opposition as a Response

Pramilla Malick, Stop Minisink Compressor Station, Protect Orange County

Invited: Alison Shelofsky, Fight the Pipe

12:15-1:15 PM Break Out LUNCH, Birch Tree Inn

Conference participants will be directed to the Birch Tree Inn where they can purchase tickets for a buffet lunch (at $7.50 per ticket) or take the option to buy lunch from the Roadrunner cafe next door or to bring lunch.  Networking opportunity.  Possible break out clusters will be identified as an outcome of the morning's work.

1:15--2:45 PM Panel 3: Action at the State Level to Address Gas Distribution Impacts

Chair: Julia Somers, Executive Director, New Jersey Highlands Coalition

This panel will explore what state level changes can be made to improve permitting decisions and to better regulate gas distribution projects by improving state review and oversight and by addressing the issues of need, climate impact and alternatives, principally green energy options.

Susan Kraham, Columbia University Law Clinic: State Environmental Quality Review Act

Jeff Tittel, NJ Sierra Club:  The 2011 NJ Energy Master Plan and Energy Infrastructure 

Carl Richko, Highlands Council Member and Former Mayor of West Milford: Interstate Gas Projects from the State and Municipal Perspectives

Invited: Scott Brubaker, NJDEP

Invited: Senator Bob Gordon, NJ Legislature

2:45-4:15 PM Panel 4: Action at the Federal Level to Address Gas Distribution Impacts

Chair: Kate Millsaps, NJ Sierra Club

This panel will explore what changes can be made at the federal level to improve permitting decisions and better regulate gas distribution projects by improving review and oversight procedures. 

BJ Schulte, esq, Jersey City Environmental Commission:  Reforming FERC; Cumulative Impact Assessments & Ending Permit Segmentation

Maya van Rossum, Delaware Riverkeeper Network: Regional Permitting Agencies

Lynda Farrell, Pipeline Safety Coalition: Reforming FERC: Public participation and  better assessment of impacts

Invited: David Hanobic, FERC

Invited: Harriet Shugarman, ClimateMama: Climate impacts not included in pipeline reviews

Invited: Allen Fore, Kinder Morgan

4:15-5:00 PM Summation and Closing Roundtable:

Chair: Ashwani Vasishth, Ph.D., Professor of Environmental Studies and Director of the Masters Program in Sustainability Studies, Ramapo College of NJ

Michael R. Edelstein, Ph.D, Kate Millsaps, Erica Van Auken, Judith Sullivan, esq.

Off-campus visitors are advised to stop at the North Entrance Security Booth for a parking pass, which can be requested in advance.

We would like to thank our partnering organizations

Energy Justice Network - North Jersey Pipeline Walkers- Franciscan Response to Fracking

ClimateMama - North Jersey Public Policy Network- Orange Environment, Inc.

Association of New Jersey Environmental Commissions- Transition Newton