Controversial Pipeline Headed for the Tri-state

New Jersey finds itself in another battle for the climate after joining 7 other states in challenging the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s (FERC) decision to allow a natural gas pipeline into the state.

This pipeline worked on by Transco would add 829,000 dekatherm’s of natural gas capacity to the current infrastructure, and support home’s throughout the entire state on peak winter days where there is high demand for heat produced from natural gas.

Yet with goals of 0% “dirty” energy by 2050 and a halving of all emissions by 2030, this project would completely undermine Jersey efforts of moving towards a green future.

The Opposition

Maryland, Connecticut, Washington, Oregon, Massachusetts, Vermont and New York are the states who join New Jersey in this legal battle, and they do so for two main reasons:

1. A new fossil fuel project is counter intuitive.

   With off shore wind farms coming to the state soon and big goals for electric energy for the future, starting a new infrastructure project in favor of natural gas would be two steps backwards in terms of progress.

2. More natural gas is unnecessary.

   Not only do these states believe it to be immoral to go forward with the project, but a study adopted by the state Board of Public Utilities states that there will be no shortage of natural gas until 2030 at the earliest, deeming the project useless.

The Support

The FERC and the 4 major utility companies in New Jersey are in favor for two main reasons.

1. Lower cost with higher supply

   With a higher supply of natural gas, homes would pay less during winters where heat is needed, with heating also becoming more accessible to lower income homes.

2. 73% of New Jerseyan’s use natural gas to heat there homes.

   With this many people reliant on natural gas, limiting future access to it could be a grave mistake. With uncertainty in the capabilities in renewable energy, ensuring a safe future for state residents is more important than emission goals.

The Future

The result of this legal battle will come down to one thing. How badly New Jersey wants to succeed on its clean energy goals.

With strong external pressure from the federal government, and companies such as PSE&G and New Jersey Natural Gas Company, the state will have to have faith in their ability to safely and effectively achieve their emission goals by 2030 and 2050.

If not, then denying the state access to more of the cleanest natural gas has the potential to be harmful to both citizens, and the environment in the long run.

GET THE FULL EDITION IN YOUR EMAIL BY SUBSCRIBING BELOW