posted by Kenneth Collins State legislators representing Stockton and Delaware Township have voiced strong opposition to the proposed PennEast natural gas pipeline project that would extend from Luzerne County, Pennsylvania. through Hunterdon and Mercer counties in New Jersey. The three are Sen. Kip Bateman and Assembly members Jack Ciattarelli and Donna Simon. All are Republicans in the 16th District. In a letter to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, the legislators stated, To the very best of our knowledge, no pipeline has ever been developed in a more bucolic, previously preserved and historically significant and designated area. Running a pipeline through numerous parcels of preserved land in some of the most beautiful places in the state poses far too many environmental risks, Mr. Bateman said. There’s certainly a need to plan for the future to make sure the state can meet its energy demands, but constructing a pipeline in a way that would lower property values, impact quality of life for residents and damage the state’s dwindling open spaces is not the way to go. We must be vigilant in ensuring that human health and safety and environmental impacts are unequivocally first and foremost in considering any pipeline proposal. The legislators indicated their intention to also contact the state Department of Environmental Protection, Congressman Leonard Lance and U. S. senators Cory Booker and Robert Menendez, asking them to address their concerns and advocate for alternative options. The PennEast Pipeline will permanently scar an exceptionally pristine, rich agricultural heritage that truly defines and sustains residents of the area, Mr. Ciattarelli said. Simply put, this untouched area is, in and of itself, a way of life for local residents, most of whom relocated there purposely to avoid development of any kind. m.centraljersey/articles/2014/12/28/the_beacon/news/doc5491eb641bad5492922440.txt
Posted on: Mon, 29 Dec 2014 19:17:47 +0000
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