For Immediate Release
Media Contact: Anjuli.Ramos@sierraclub.org, Jackie.Greger@sierraclub.org
Expansion of Gas-Fired Power Plant Proposed in Woodbridge Twp: Unacceptable & Unnecessary
Woodbridge Township, NJ - Competitive Power Ventures (CPV) has proposed to build a new 630-megawatt gas-fired power plant in the Keasbey section of Woodbridge, New Jersey. If approved, this would significantly increase the burning of natural gas in the community of Woodbridge Township and will potentially generate a total of 2,055,800 metric tons CO2e/year. This could increase New Jersey’s GHG annual emissions by over 2%. CPV is currently waiting for approval of a significant modification to its Title V air pollution permit from the state and Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), in order to construct new turbines at the site. A virtual public hearing will be held tomorrow, February 28th, from 6-8 PM ET via Microsoft Teams and there will be a public comment period until March 31st. Email skjellberg@cpv.com to register for the event or submit comments, and read the public notice here (español).
The New Jersey Sierra Club strongly opposes this project; New Jersey does not need expansions or another gas-fired power plant. New Jersey is already in non-attainment for ground-level ozone, and the NOx emissions from an expanded power plant only makes the current public health crisis worse with increased air pollution. The plant should never be approved under New Jersey’s new environmental justice rules. Additionally, the proposal goes against Governor Murphy's and the BPU’s clean energy goals for the state, and only moves us further backwards. We must continue toward a just transition away from fossil fuels and pursue alternative energy sources like offshore wind and solar power.
This proposed expansion of the power plant will be located in Woodbridge Township, further burdening an already overburdened environment justice community. Located in a predominantly low-income community of color, this community is already vulnerable from the compounding impacts of low air quality from other facilities. On top of greenhouse gas emissions, the plant would emit ozone causing agents and many toxic air pollutants (e.g., ammonia, volatile organic compounds, sulfur dioxide, sulfuric acid and others) all within 6 miles of more than 70 public schools. The American Lung Association's “State of the Air 2022" report gives Middlesex County an "F" rating for high ozone days. Ozone not only causes and exacerbates a large number of debilitating conditions such as asthma and heart disease, but also causes premature deaths in older populations. We cannot afford more burning of natural gas at the cost of human health and community safety.
State agencies must oppose the proposed expansion of the plant to help protect public health, communities at the frontlines in Woodbridge, and the environment.
“New Jersey does not need more burning of natural gas to generate power. The proposed expansion of the Keasbey Energy Center in an already overburdened environmental justice community is unacceptable, and directly goes against Governor Murphy’s new clean energy goal for the state. We cannot afford to move further backwards and in order to ensure 100% clean energy by 2035, this new plant must not be permitted,” said Anjuli Ramos-Busot, Director of New Jersey Sierra Club. “New Jersey in its entirety is already in non-attainment for ground-level ozone, therefore the addition of a significant amount of NOx emissions, a precursor of ground-level ozone, further exacerbates our air quality and public health problem.”
“It just amazes me that in 2023 we are still talking about halting natural gas and fossil fuel projects in the state of New Jersey. We have an historic landmark Environmental Justice law S232 and an Administrative Order 2021-25 that is supposed to provide protections to overburdened communities. What about the children? There are approximately 20 schools within a 10 mile radius of the proposed Keasbey Power Plant,” said Renée Pollard, Environmental and Social Justice Committee Chair. These children are at their developmental stages and are at risk of having their cognitive development altered and the risk of developing childhood diseases such as asthma. This needs to stop. Fossil Fuel projects in the state need to stop. We are continuing to add to our already surpassed climate goals. We are destroying our environment and all the habitants who live here. We are on borrowed time. It’s time for the Murphy administration to deliver on its promises of moving to clean energy, it's not debatable. We no longer have a choice.”
“It's a slap to all Woodbridge and Middlesex County residents that despite the Governor's commitment for New Jersey to be fossil fuel free by 2035 and despite an environmental justice law (S232) to protect burdened communities; here we are again fighting a gas-powered plant that will pollute our air. This project is bad for the community and bad for New Jersey. It must be stopped. Enough is enough," said Gary Frederick, Conservation Chair of NJ Sierra Club Raritan Valley Group.
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About the Sierra Club: The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with millions of members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information about our work in New Jersey, visit www.sierraclub.org/new-jersey.