Date : Fri, 27 Feb 2015 12:24:49 -0500
For Immediate Release
February 27, 2015
Contact: Jeff Tittel, Director, NJ Sierra Club, 609-558-9100
PSE&G Denies Pilgrim Pipeline Access to Rights-of-Way
PSE&G has told Pilgrim Pipeline that they will not share their rights-of-way with the company. Pilgrim had asked the public utility for use of their easements to install two brand new oil pipelines across Northern New Jersey. We had first heard PSE&G's comments in fall, so we are glad they finally have come forward and become public on this issue.
Pilgrim Pipeline LLC is a private utility that wants to ship crude oil and refined petroleum products. They are not designated as a public utility and do not have eminent domain rights. This announcement by PSE&G is a serious blow to the project, as the current mapping shows extensive use of existing PSE&G rights-of-way.
"Without the ability to use the PSE&G right-of-way, this is more than a major setback to the Pilgrim Pipeline. This could end up killing the project. With 26 out of 28 towns along the route opposed to the project and the state assembly passing a resolution, this could be the final blow for Pilgrim. We want to thank PSE&G for doing what is right for the ratepayers and the environment. Without using the PSE&G right-of-way they are going to have a difficult time getting through New Jersey with this destructive pipeline," said Jeff Tittel, Director, New Jersey Sierra Club. "This is an important step forward in the process of stopping this terrible pipeline and a victory battle against pollution from fracking Bakken crude."
Yesterday, February 26th PSE&G spokesperson announced "Last fall, we told Pilgrim that it was not in the best interests of the utility or its customers to allow access to the right of way from Montville to WoodbridgeAt the time, we said that building another pipeline in the same right of way could interfere with these existing facilities, as well as future potential uses of this property for the provision of safe and reliable electric and gas service," said Karen Johnson.
Pilgrim Pipeline LLC could try to go to the Board of Public Utilities to access the right-of-way, but succeeding is very unlikely. Or, they could even go to court, but getting the right-of-way would be even less likely. Pilgrim's project doesn't fit the criteria under law.
"Without the PSEG right-of-way, which we estimate is 27 miles from Woodbridge to Montville, it would make it very difficult for Pilgrim to find another route north up to the Oakland area. There are not a lot of north-south corridors that are not already in use for Pilgrim to use. So this is really a major setback for them," said Tittel.
Pilgrim Pipeline LLC is proposing to construct two new pipelines to connect Albany, New York, with Port Reading and Linden, New Jersey. The pipeline would cut through both communities that are overburdened by pollution already and environmentally sensitive areas critical for drinking water supply. The infrastructure would transport Bakken shale oil, produced by fracking in North Dakota, and refined petroleum products. The Bakken oil is highly explosive and pipeline transportation would threaten local communities with the risk of spills and accidents. The source of the oil and its consequences for our climate, along with the environmental impacts of the project's construction and operation, will have long-term, negative effects on both states.
We partner with PSE&G on a number of issues energy efficiency to renewables. Although we have disagreed with them on some issues they are doing the right thing here. Towns opposed these expanded ROWs in the past and PSE&G is showing they can be a good neighbor now by keeping these dangerous pipeline projects out of their easement.
"PSE&G is looking out for their consumers and rate payers. The public pays for these rights of way and they shouldn't be letting these speculative and dangerous ventures use them. They should only be used by public utilities. Will they threaten PSE&G with eminent domain like they have done with landowners?" asked Jeff Tittel. "Now PSE&G and 31 towns Say (To paraphrase John Wayne) Get out of town Pilgrim!"
The Pilgrim Pipeline would cut through important water supply watershed and near water supply aquifers. The pipeline will run through the Ramapo River Watershed in New York and New Jersey. This system serves Mahwah, Ramsey, Oakland, Franklin Lakes, Allendale, Pompton Lakes, Wayne and 8 more towns in New York as well as a backup to the Wanaque and Oradell Reservoirs during times of drought. The pipeline will pass through or near the Chatham aquifer, tributaries to the Hudson River, and the Catskill and Delaware aqueducts which provide drinking water to New York City.
"This is the wrong pipeline in the wrong place. The Pilgrim Pipeline is not only environmentally destructive, but also very dangerous with the chance of a spill or explosion. Bakken crude oil is very volatile. Pilgrim Pipeline, what part of no don't you understand?" said Tittel.