BRANCHBURG – It's a debate for our time: are there inherent benefits to improving the country's infrastructure for delivering fossil fuels or are those improvements not necessary and will exacerbate the impacts of climate change and pose health risks?
That debate continued Thursday at Raritan Valley Community College at a state Department of Environmental Protection public hearing whether a permit should be granted to Williams-Transco to upgrade its natural gas compressor station on Case Road.
Compressor stations are placed along natural gas pipelines to maintain the pressure and flow of natural gas.
Most Branchburg residents are not aware there is a compressor station in the township. There's only a small sign on Case Road that's easily missed at the end of a long driveway with a secure gate and fence less than a mile from Neshanic Valley Golf Course.
Williams-Transco is seeking federal and state approval to upgrade the facility by replacing the compressor's old engines with gas-driven turbines which the company says are more efficient and will result in a 97% decrease in permitted air emissions.
The upgrade is part of the company's $800 million investment in its Regional Energy Access (REA) project in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, which includes no new pipelines in New Jersey, a new compressor station in Gloucester County and upgrades to another compressor station in Old Bridge.
The company says the project supports Gov. Phil Murphy's goal of 100% clean energy by 2050 by supplying power during the transition.
The company also says the Branchburg portion of the project will provide 132 union jobs and $175,000 in additional property tax revenue.
But opponents said in a rally before the hearing and during the hearing that the project is not needed, presents unnecessary health risks and perpetuates the state's dependence on fossil fuels.
"This proposal to burn even more dirty fossil fuel is an unnecessary health and public safety risk to families and businesses in the surrounding communities, many of whom have already been forced to bear the brunt of climate change and pollution,” Ed Potosnak, executive director of New Jersey League of Conservation Voters, said at the rally before the hearing. “This project would negatively affect communities throughout the state and drastically increase pollution. We can’t continue to rely on pipelines and compressor stations that maintain our dependence on dirty fossil fuels. Expansion isn’t appropriate to meet our needs today and into the future, and approval would be a step in the wrong direction when it comes to the future of the state’s energy economy. New Jersey must instead continue to transition to renewable energy.”
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Postonak said the project is "one major step backwards" and he commended the state Board of Public Utilities for finding that the project is not necessary.
"It's bad for Branchburg, it's bad for New Jersey and it's bad for the world's climate," he said.
Somerset County Commissioner Melonie Marano said she has "deep concerns" about the project, whether it's necessary and whether it will stress the resources of Branchburg's volunteer firefighters. Marano also said the company has a "spotty safety record."
There was a flash fire at the compressor station in May 2013 where two people were taken to the hospital with injuries.
Township resident Teresa Callahan said Williams-Transco has an "abysmal safety record" and the DEP should not grant the permit.
"It's not acceptable for the DEP to gamble with residents' health," she said.
But members of unions said the project was necessary, would improve the environment and provide jobs.
“The permit in front of the NJDEP regarding upgrades to existing Station 505 as part of Williams’ REA project will result in significant and meaningful emissions reductions,” said Greg Lalevee, business manager of Operating Engineers Local 825. “What we have with REA is a well-designed infrastructure modernization project that will create local, union jobs and increase the reliability of our energy supply while supporting the state’s aggressive climate goals. DEP should approve this permit.”
“The REA project is a smart investment that will nearly eliminate emissions at the existing facility and create local union jobs,” saidCiro Scalera, director of government relations of the Laborers’ International Union of North America (LiUNA). “Williams has committed to using local, union labor to increase New Jersey’s energy supply and reduce emissions at the existing station by nearly 100%, without laying any new pipeline in the state."
But Matt Smith, New Jersey director of Food & Water Watch, said there were many jobs available in green energy and warned about the environmental consequences of fossil fuels.
"There are no jobs on a dead planet," he said.
Raymond Cantor, vice president of government affairs for the New Jersey Business and Industry Association, said it would be "easy" for the DEP to grant the permit because the projects meet all regulatory standards. He also said the upgrade to the compressor station would reduce emissions by 95% and deliver more gas to New Jersey without new pipelines.
Cantor also said the project would generate "good union jobs."
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A coalition of environmental groups sent a letter with 75 signatures on Thursday to Gov. Murphy to reject the project, saying that overall, the project would lead to a 16% increase in greenhouse gas emissions. The letter also said the project would bring "irreparable" harm to local communities.
Williams-Transco filed its application with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission in the first quarter of 2021. FERC is scheduled to issue its decision in November.
If approvals are given by FERC and the DEP, Williams-Transco estimates construction could begin in July 2023 be completed by the winter 2024.
Mike Deak is a reporter for mycentraljersey.com. To get unlimited access to his articles on Somerset and Hunterdon counties, please subscribe or activate your digital account