Public Hearing
Monday, December 9th @ 5pm
Galloway Municipal Complex
300 E. Jimmie Leeds Road
Galloway, NJ
http://www.gallowaytwp-nj.gov/directions.html
The Pinelands Commission is considering a proposal to build a 22-mile natural gas pipeline through the Pinelands. The plan is to connect it to the BL England plant and to convert that plant from coal to gas. BL England will then surely be used as a hub for LNG export, the end goal. The proposed pipeline is being fast-tracked. More accurately, the project is being rammed through over the holidays following private negotiations between the parties for months.
The Pinelands Commission will hold a public hearing today, Dec. 9, on a draft Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) and then vote on the MOA on Jan. 10 (tentatively). The intent of the MOA is to expedite approval of the project, to avoid the stricter requirements for a waiver. Unfortunately, simply entering into an MOA and setting a hearing date may have set a course of no return, though public comments run heavily against.
What this expansion of natural gas infrastructure will mean for New Jersey is increased fracking in the region, more heavy truck traffic & road damage, greater air pollution, increased greenhouse gas emissions including methane, accelerated climate change, commercialization of the Pinelands, and potential for a devastating accident that would cause irreversible harm to the forest and its pristine aquifers. And when U.S. gas is on the world market, it will mean much higher prices here at home. Much like oil, the plan is to first increase our use and reliance.
PLEASE ATTEND TODAY, EVEN IF YOU ARRIVE LATE. THE HEARING WILL LIKELY CONTINUE FOR SEVERAL HOURS. THANK YOU.
More detail below from partner organizations
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FROM "DON'T GAS THE PINELANDS":
The clock is ticking and the Pinelands Commission will have to cast their votes soon, maybe January 10th, on an exception - MOA- to the Pinelands rules that will permit a 24-inch high-pressure gas pipeline that will cut through the heart of the Pinelands.
This is a heavily forested coastal plain designated as an U.N. International Biosphere Reserve. Slated to cross two rivers and up to 14 streams, the 22-mile pipeline would end in Beesley's Point, Upper Township.
The offer of $8 million from South Jersey gas is for the soul of the Pinelands. Is it worth it?
1/ We are close to stopping it. Time is running against SJGAS since the BL England owners have to tell the NJDEP (Dept of Environment) whether they will re-power the coal plant, by December 31st 2013. Slowing this train down is a great tactic also. If everyone can bring people it would be fantastic. The doors of the meeting close at 11pm and if there are still speakers left they have to notify of another Public Hearing!! The goal of the staff of the Pinelands Commission to have have the full vote on January 10th.
2/ Sierra Club, Jeff Tittel, told the meeting Wed. the project must comply with the requirements of Executive Order #215, which require a full Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for projects by State Agencies that exceed $5 million and disturb more than 5 acres of land. Board of Public Utilities (BPU) is the front for this application by the for-profit gas company. There has not been a full environmental impact study done.
Don't forget there is another Pinelands Commission meeting scheduled for Fri. Dec 13th at 9.30am in Pemberton, but first things first!!
Please attend TODAY:
Public Hearing
Monday, December 9th @ 5pm
Galloway Municipal Complex
300 E. Jimmie Leeds Road
Galloway, NJ
http://www.gallowaytwp-nj.gov/directions.html
People can sign in to speak but if anyone arrives later you can speak too.
Or, give written comments from Dec 9th through Friday the 13th.
Info from the Sierra Club below.
Bring signs letter size with BOLD Print "Just say NO"! They are easy to take into meeting and they are very effective.
Regardless, of what we have said at Pinelands Commission meetings, the clock starts at 5pm TODAY for public testimony. We recommend attending the meeting and bringing, if possible, written opposition to the pipeline. Your voice will be heard at the meeting and recorded even if you do not have a written statement. The process will be open through Friday, Dec. 13th for written comments.
Pinelands Commission
PO Box 359
15 Springfield Road
New Lisbon, New Jersey 08064
Phone: (609) 894-7300 Fax: (609) 894-7330
EMAIL: info@njpines.state.nj.us
The main talking point is that this approval- MOA- would violate the Pinelands Commission's own Management rules. Do the job they have been tasked to do...Protect, Enhance and Preserve the Pinelands. The project does not benefit the people who live in the Pines solely.
It is not the Pinelands Commission's job to assure electric supply anywhere. Its to protect our valuable treasure only.
Its a great fight and we can win it!
SOME FACTS AND ARTICLES:
People are under the impression that gas burns cleaner. In fact, the ultra-fine particles emitted by a 24/7 gas burning generating station may well be more dangerous than coal!!
http://www.aqmd.gov/tao/Ultrafine_Presentations/Pre-Conference_2_Froines.pdf
Some great articles and video clip, and Sierra info below.
1/ http://www.wolfenotes.com/ 2013/12/all-hell-broke-loose- at-the-pinelands-commission- today/
2/ http://www.philly.com/philly/news/new_jersey/20131205_Among_Pinelands_commissioners__qualms_over_proposed_pipeline.html
3/ http://abclocal.go.com/wpvi/story?section=news/local&id=9346491
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from Sierra Club, New Jersey Chapter
Important Hearing MONDAY on the Pinelands Gas Pipeline!
South Jersey Gas wants to install a brand new pipeline through the Pinelands to keep the polluting BL England plant running on fossil fuels. The Pinelands Commission has released a draft Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) which would inappropriately exempt South Jersey Gas from the protective standards of the Pinelands Master Plan. On Monday they will be holding a public hearing on the waiver which lets South Jersey Gas off the hook when it comes to environmental protections. We need your help at this important meeting! The pipeline is being proposed through the Pinelands Forest Area, an environmentally sensitive and important ecological area. The project does not serve the best interest of the Pinelands. This pipeline will destroy the natural resources of one of the most unique regions in the country to deliver fossil-fuel powered electricity to Atlantic City and the City of Cape May. The Pinelands will see more air and water pollution as a result of the project. Join us at the hearing MONDAY EVENING in Galloway Township to urge the Commissioners to stand up for the Pinelands region and reject this pipeline!! Pinelands Commission Public Hearing on the SJG Pipeline Project When: Monday, December 9, 2013 at 5pm Where: Galloway Township Municipal Building, 300 E. Jimmie Leeds Road, Galloway, NJ.You can still take action even if you cannot attend on Monday! Email the Commission Members and the Governor here! The comment period ends on December 13th. Also SAVE the DATE! Join us on December 19th in Trenton for a Lobby Day where we will be asking legislators to come out in opposition to the project. More details to come! Talking Points: - The construction of the SJG pipeline will cause long term harm to Pinelands forests & waterways: habitat loss, compaction of soils, more runoff and erosion in waterways, changes to hydrogeology potentially impacting aquifers and groundwater - Exempting SJG, a private utility, from Pinelands regulations violates the Pinelands Plan and Pinelands Act. This type of project is forbidden in the sensitive Forest Area. If this goes forward it opens the door for all types of private developments in the Pinelands. - The Commission would receive $8 million for mitigation projects from South Jersey Gas if the pipeline is approved. However, you cannot mitigate for the long term impacts this pipeline will have on the region, from localized infestations of invasive species to more air pollution across the region. - The pipeline does not serve the needs of the Pinelands. The region will see more water and air pollution as the electricity and gas goes to Atlantic City and the City of Cape May - BL England will run full time! The plant currently runs 20-40 days a year but when converted to natural gas will become a base load plant, spewing carbon and particulate matter into the atmosphere year round - The pipeline will allow BL England to continue destroying the Great Egg Harbor Bay. The plant kills billions of fish & aquatic organisms every year. Super-heated water discharges from the plant have resulted in the Bay failing to meet state and federal water quality standards.
