Pipeline Opponents Dffer on PInelands Rules Violations

excerpts from article
MICHELLE BRUNETTI POST
A coalition of environmental groups kicked off an intensified campaign against the South Jersey Gas pipeline on the steps of the State Capital Thursday, vowing to pressure the Board of Public Utilities not to give final approval to the project.

“With all these twists and turns, (Pinelands Commission Executive Director) Nancy Wittenberg is the best contortionist I’ve seen in a long time,” said New Jersey Sierra Club Director Jeff Tittel after the quickly-called event, which drew about 30 people.

“She gets what she wants, versus what the rules actually say,” Tittel said, referring to Wittenberg’s recent change of mind, deciding that the pipeline now meets commission rules as a private development and may seek BPU final approval without a vote by commissioners.

But the chairman of the Pinelands Commission, who voted against the pipeline last year, said Thursday there is disagreement over facts, not a violation of rules.
 “What can I say? The decision made by the Executive Director and the staff was pursuant to a procedure authorized by law,” said Commission Chairman Mark S. Lohbauer, of Pennsauken. “I personally had a different take on some of the issues. Had the decision been left to me, had I had a vote in it, it would not have come down the way it did.” 

The company renewed its private development application in May.

Wittenberg said she changed her mind when SJ Gas provided proof that 95 percent of the gas flowing through the pipeline was contractually obligated to go to the B.L. England Generating Station in Upper Township, which is in the Pinelands.

Food and Water Watch is calling for Wittenberg to be fired or to step down, said South Jersey organizer Lena Smith.

Lohbauer said he did not think the pipeline would primarily serve the Pinelands, even if all the gas goes there. Staff did not look at the ultimate destination of the power created there, which can go anywhere in the electric grid, he said.

Environmental groups, however, are planning to canvas neighborhoods along the proposed pipeline route. They are also planning to collect signatures on petitions, seek resolutions in opposition from municipalities, and go door-to-door to get people more engaged in the issue, said Environment New Jersey’s Doug O’Malley.

“The last piece is to figure out a legal strategy,” said Tittel.

Entire article at
http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/news/breaking/pipeline-opponents-differ-on-pinelands-rules-violations/article_1a6f727e-4784-11e5-bee7-9fe261512b19.html

Related posts at
http://gadfly01.blogspot.com/2015/08/nj-pipeline-pushed-through-without-vote.html