*For Immediate Release*
July 30, 2010 Contact Jeff, Tittel 609-558-9100
*Susquehanna-Roseland Line: Does Delay Mean Going, Going, Gone?*
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*Trenton * PSE&G in its second quarterly earnings report announced it will be delaying the Susquehanna-Roseland transmission lines until at least 2015. The report says that the eastern portion of the project could be complete by 2014, but the western part would not be done until 2015. Half of a line won't be able to transmit any power.
PSE&G was able to get approval from the Board of Public Utilities because of supposed reliability issues that needed to be addressed by 2012, which is when the line was supposed to be completed. The delay further demonstrates the many reasons why this power line should not go forward. The line should be put on hold and reassessed by the BPU and PJM because it is unnecessary now and will be more unnecessary by 2015.
"When PSE&G talks about these power lines and reliability, they lie and re-lie again and again. These lines are not necessary," *said Jeff Tittel, New Jersey Sierra Club Director*.
PSE&G admits in its report that people are buying less energy and energy efficiency is working. In the next three to five years there will be a whole range of renewable energy sources online. In addition to solar and wind, there will be more energy efficiency, combined heat and power, and cleaner-burning natural gas.
The Sierra Club believes that the delay will go on even longer than anticipated. There are additional permits on the state and federal level that PSE&G has yet to obtain, including a permit for constructing the line through Picatinny Arsenal . This will no doubt put completion of the project past the 2015 date that PSE&G anticipates.
"The delay shows that this line is completely unnecessary and will undermine New Jersey's attempts at clean and renewable energy. This line is a waste of money and would cause destruction to environmentally sensitive areas and public lands in New Jersey and Pennsylvania," *Tittel said*.
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