Environmental Groups Appeal Transco Pipeline License Opposed By South Brunswick

SOUTH BRUNSWICK, NJ — A coalition of environmental groups has filed an appeal challenging state approval of a utility license for Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Company's (Transco) Northeast Supply Enhancement (NESE) pipeline project, which many residents, including those from South Brunswick, have opposed for years.

The Notice of Appeal, filed Monday with the New Jersey Superior Court's Appellate Division, was submitted by the Eastern Environmental Law Center on behalf of Central Jersey Safe Energy Coalition, Food & Water Watch, the New Jersey League of Conservation Voters Education Fund, NY/NJ Baykeeper, and the Princeton Manor Homeowners Association. The Department of Environmental Protection and the Tidelands Resource Council (TRC) are named as respondents, along with Transco.

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The appeal challenges the TRC's May 6 decision, in which the council voted 7-0 to approve a seven-year utility license allowing Transco's pipeline to cross state-owned tidelands in the Cheesequake Creek Tributary and Raritan Bay in Sayreville. The license term was shortened from the standard 24 years and includes conditions requiring as-built drawings, periodic inspection reporting, and removal of the pipeline if it's abandoned.

The NESE project would run a new 26-inch diameter natural gas pipeline from Pennsylvania through New Jersey, including through Old Bridge, Sayreville and Franklin Township, before crossing Raritan Bay to reach Rockaway, Queens.

"Allowing these public trust lands to be developed with a fossil fuel expansion project that would exacerbate climate change and do nothing for energy affordability in New Jersey is anathema to the public interest," said Eastern Environmental Law Center Executive Director Chris Miller.

"We're challenging the state's approval because New Jersey should not sacrifice its Tideland communities and environment for this filthy fracked gas pipeline," said Food & Water Watch Central Jersey Organizer Charlie Kratovil. "Governor Sherrill's DEP has issued a foolish endorsement of expanded fossil fuel infrastructure that undercuts New Jersey clean energy solutions, and threatens our air, water and climate stability moving forward."

"The DEP's decision to move forward with this permit ignores serious concerns about the project's impacts on New Jersey's environment and communities. The NESE pipeline threatens the health of the Raritan Bay, risks disturbing contaminated sediments, and would disproportionately burden communities that are already overexposed to pollution," said Allison McLeod, interim executive director of New Jersey LCV. "New Jersey LCV Education Fund, alongside our partners, will always work to ensure our waters, public health, and communities receive the protection they deserve."

"NESE was denied twice because it would damage tidelands along its route and resuspend toxic metals in Raritan Bay — one of the region's great natural resources and premier recreational fishing areas," said Greg Remaud of NY/NJ Baykeeper. "Nothing has changed except for the politics. So, with our colleagues, we challenge the state's approvals."

South Brunswick has formally opposed the project since at least 2023, when the Township Council adopted a resolution urging the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to deny all permits for NESE, citing environmental and safety risks.

In August 2025, hundreds of residents and members of the New Jersey Buddhist Vihara and Meditation Center in neighboring Franklin Township rallied against the project's proposed Compressor Station 206, which would sit near the temple.

At the May 6 TRC hearing, more than 50 members of the public spoke, the vast majority in opposition, raising concerns about disturbing contaminated sediment near the Raritan Bay slag Superfund site, impacts to marine life and fisheries, and questions over whether New Jersey would receive any benefit from the pipeline, since the gas is intended for New York's National Grid.

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