Date : Thu, 16 Oct 2014 16:19:59 -0400
For Immediate Release
October 16, 2014
Contact Jeff Tittel, 609-558-9100
Pinelands Victory! Nominees Held
Today the Senate Judiciary Committee held the nomination of two new members to the Pinelands Commission. The Governor's office named Robert Barr from Ocean City and Mayor of New Hanover Township Dennis Roohr to the Commission in May after the Pinelands Commission rejected a new pipeline proposal across the region that violated the regional Comprehensive Management Plan in a 7-7 vote. They were held for today but could come back.
"This is an important victory for the Pinelands, due process and democracy. Today the Judiciary Committee upheld the integrity of the Pinelands Commission and the independence of governmental bodies. The action of the Judiciary Committee today upholds the integrity of the Pinelands Commission and the Legislature. Our legislative leaders did not bow to political pressure; instead they put the resources of the Pinelands and the largest drinking water aquifer in our state first," said Jeff Tittel, Director of the NJ Sierra Club. "This is an important legislative and environmental victory today but the nominations were only held which means they could be brought again for a vote so we have to keep the pressure on. This is a great day but we still have work to do."
The pipeline is being proposed to refuel the BL England power plant. If BL England is refueled, it will be the largest greenhouse gas emitter along the New Jersey coast as a result of carbon pollution. It will also continue the water pollution impacts the plant has on the Great Egg Harbor Bay. The facility's cooling system kills millions of fish annually and the thermal discharges from the plant have resulted in the Bay failing to meet state and federal water quality standards. Sierra Club and other groups are challenging the pollution discharge permits for BL England in the Appellate Court. PJM, the grid operator, has found that there could be potential for problems and even upgrades to transmission if the plant remains open.
The appointments were slated to replace two Commissioners who voted against the pipeline. D'Arcy Green was appointed by Gov. Christie. She is a Republican who supports the Governor but is being removed because she voted her conscience. Steve Jackson has been on the Commission for a dozen years. He is a former mayor and small businessman and only African American member of the Commission and was appointed by Gov. McGreevy. He is also being replaced by he voted to protect the Pinelands instead of the Pipeline.
In April, the Cumberland County Freeholders removed Leslie Ficaglia as their representative to the Pinelands Commission. Ms. Ficaglia had represented the County admirably for 18 years. She voted against the pipeline proposal.
"Today the Judiciary Committee prevented these Commissioners from being removed because they did their job and stood up to protect the Pinelands. They did not bow to political interests and showed real integrity," said Jeff Tittel.
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Kate Millsaps
Conservation Program Coordinator
NJ Sierra Club
(609) 656-7612
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Kate Millsaps
Conservation Program Coordinator
NJ Sierra Club
(609) 656-7612
Received on 2014-10-16 13:19:59