NJ Pipeline Pushed Through Without a Vote
A plan for a 22-mile gas pipeline through the protected Pinelands in New Jersey quietly dodged a major obstacle Friday.
The proposed South Jersey Gas pipeline had been rejected two years ago by the Pinelands Commission. But the commission's executive director, an appointee of pro-pipeline Gov. Chris Christie, told commissioners that the pipeline doesn't need their approval after all.
Doug O'Malley of Environment New Jersey attended the meeting, even though the public agenda listed nothing about the pipeline.
"This is a dark day for the New Jersey Pinelands, because the Pinelands Commission staff essentially just ran an end-run around the Pinelands Commission members," O'Malley said.
The natural gas pipeline still must be approved by the Board of Public Utilities, which is controlled by Christie.
Jeff Tittel, director of the New Jersey chapter of the Sierra Club, called the decision by Nancy Wittenberg, the executive director, a sneak attack. "If her decision stands, there will be no public hearing, public input, and the Pinelands Commission does not have a voice or vote on this decision," Tittel said.
Wittenberg told the commission the decision does not need to come before them for a vote because the project is a private development for use only within the Pinelands, and the gas pipeline will feed a power plant that will provide electricity to the area.
http://www.njspotlight.com/stories/15/08/14/nj-pipeline-pushed-through-without-a-vote
New article 8/18 at
http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/communities/upper_capemay/one-change-all-it-took-to-ok-pinelands-pipeline/article_4a131d9a-4609-11e5-a8d0-37a9e9fe1b36.html
8/20/15
http://gadfly01.blogspot.com/2015/08/pipeline-opponents-dffer-on-pinelands.html
Related posts
http://gadfly01.blogspot.com/2015/03/former-nj-governors-urge-no-vote-for.html
http://gadfly01.blogspot.com/2015/03/barr-appointed-to-pinelands-commission.html
http://gadfly01.blogspot.com/2015/07/ppa-announcement-sj-gas-pinelands.html
The proposed South Jersey Gas pipeline had been rejected two years ago by the Pinelands Commission. But the commission's executive director, an appointee of pro-pipeline Gov. Chris Christie, told commissioners that the pipeline doesn't need their approval after all.
Doug O'Malley of Environment New Jersey attended the meeting, even though the public agenda listed nothing about the pipeline.
"This is a dark day for the New Jersey Pinelands, because the Pinelands Commission staff essentially just ran an end-run around the Pinelands Commission members," O'Malley said.
The natural gas pipeline still must be approved by the Board of Public Utilities, which is controlled by Christie.
Jeff Tittel, director of the New Jersey chapter of the Sierra Club, called the decision by Nancy Wittenberg, the executive director, a sneak attack. "If her decision stands, there will be no public hearing, public input, and the Pinelands Commission does not have a voice or vote on this decision," Tittel said.
Wittenberg told the commission the decision does not need to come before them for a vote because the project is a private development for use only within the Pinelands, and the gas pipeline will feed a power plant that will provide electricity to the area.
http://www.njspotlight.com/stories/15/08/14/nj-pipeline-pushed-through-without-a-vote
New article 8/18 at
http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/communities/upper_capemay/one-change-all-it-took-to-ok-pinelands-pipeline/article_4a131d9a-4609-11e5-a8d0-37a9e9fe1b36.html
8/20/15
http://gadfly01.blogspot.com/2015/08/pipeline-opponents-dffer-on-pinelands.html
Related posts
http://gadfly01.blogspot.com/2015/03/former-nj-governors-urge-no-vote-for.html
http://gadfly01.blogspot.com/2015/03/barr-appointed-to-pinelands-commission.html
http://gadfly01.blogspot.com/2015/07/ppa-announcement-sj-gas-pinelands.html
1 comment:
I knew it would be approved after Christie had his people put on the board but I'm really surprised that they didn't at least put on a fake show for the people by having a vote. It looks like Christie believes all citizens who don't agree with him should be "punched in the face"and made to shut up. As President, maybe he would think concentration camps would be a great place for any people who voice their opinions.
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