New Jersey Approves Gas Pipeline Through Protected Pinelands
CHERRY HILL, NJ (CBS) -- The New Jersey Pinelands Commission has approved a controversial plan to allow construction of a section of pipeline by South Jersey Gas through the protected forest region.
Pipeline opponents repeatedly interrupted the meeting, beating on drums and tambourines, singing and chanting, but they were unable to stop what they knew was the inevitable.
By a 9-5 vote, with one abstention, the Pinelands Commission approved a plan by South Jersey Gas to run a natural gas pipeline through a ten-mile stretch of federally protected forest. The pipeline runs a total of 22 miles.
"They're a bunch of bobbleheads appointed by Christie, and they care more about South Jersey Gas than doing their job and protecting the Pinelands," said Jeff Tittel, director of the New Jersey Sierra Club.
Tittel added this matter is far from settled.
"We sued them once and we beat them. We'll sue them again and we'll beat them," said Tittel.
South Jersey Gas applied for the project, which they say would provide a back-up gas supply to the Jersey Shore, and allow for the B.L. England Power Plant in Cape May County to convert from burning oil and coal to natural gas.
While the crowd was overwhelmingly against the pipeline, there were some supporters who stood quietly and observed.
"I live in Beesley's Point, I live ten blocks from there. I love it that they were converting to clean, burning fuel and that was the whole purpose. Pipelines are everywhere in New Jersey and I don't know why it can't be here," said one supporter.
"We support the pipeline, it's going to create a lot of jobs. It's the cleanest technology that's available to us now in a demanding need for energy," said Andrew Bulakowski of the Northeast Regional Council of Carpenters.
Environmental groups, including the Pinelands Preservation Alliance, plan to file a lawsuit next week.
"We will be appealing on the merits of the decision, on the merits of whether this project meets the Pinelands' regulations which we think it very clearly does not," said Carleton Montgomery of the Pinelands Preservation Commission.
After the vote, South Jersey Gas praised the commission, saying in a statement, "We will be able to support energy reliability for Cape May and Atlantic Counties while continuing to responsibly operate our infrastructure throughout the Pinelands."
CBS 3's Cleve Bryan contributed to the report
