The construction of a 16-mile underground gas pipeline through an environmentally sensitive area in northern New Jersey’s Highlands region is stirring up heated debate among environmentalists throughout the state.
The New Jersey Highlands Council is close to approving a $750 million project conducted by the Tennessee Gas Pipeline Co., after the company agreed to preserve about 80 acres of land in the region, according to the council’s Web site.
“More and more is needed in natural gas for heating, industrial and everything else, and our company, along with other companies, are trying to keep up with the demands to be able to supply the need,” said Jack Lichtenberger, an operations technician for Tennessee Gas Pipeline.
Environmentalists argue the project is harmful to the environment because it will disturb about 177 acres of forestland as well as an important water preservation area.
“It’s really one of the most beautiful areas in the state, and it’s important for New Jersey’s water and … wildlife,” said Director of Operations at the Edison Wetlands Association David Wheeler. “There are a lot of endangered species that utilize the habitat they are talking about putting the pipeline through.”
The Highlands is an area known for environmental protection, Wheeler said. The pipeline will not only disturb 177 acres of forested land, but it will impact a reservoir in the region and the Wallkill River Refuge, a division of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services.
“The fact that there are all these protections reflects the importance of the Highlands and preserving the Highlands for New Jersey,” Wheeler said.
The 30-inch wide pipeline would run parallel to Tennessee Gas’ current 24-inch pipeline, according to the Web site. It would start in Wantage, located just outside of the Highlands, continue for 8.7 miles east through Vernon, cut 6.7 miles across West Milford and extend for about half a mile in Ringwood, according to an article published on NorthJersey.com.
The pipeline will only disrupt a few areas, and it is one of the safest ways to transport natural gas, which is a vital necessity today for the industrial world, Lichtenberger said.
“Transportation of natural gas is the safest type of transportation in the United States; we’ve had very little accidents,” he said. “Other than the disturbance in the soil, there’s really no issue.”
The Highlands Council could not be reached for comment at press time.
The current pipeline the new one will be running next to is not harming anything and is working just fine, Lichtenberger said. The environment is interrupted in many other ways that environmentalists never argue as much about.
“You’re disrupting the environment to a certain extent, but everybody does when they expand and build new houses and developments,” Lichtenberger said.
Cook College senior Rita Hemmings said she understands the need for natural gas and building for industrial purposes, but thinks preservation should also be a priority.
“They don’t think about the importance of preserving the environment,” she said. “I think it is important to build, but it is also important to preserve as well.”
This project was an alternative to another Highlands Council proposed project, Wheeler said. The environmental issues are not being looked at closely.
“They really need to be studied, and the environmental impacts really need to be determined ahead of time,” Wheeler said. “It’s very important that all alternatives are considered.”
Pipeline sparks debate, concerns for environment
Published: Thursday, September 24, 2009
Updated: Thursday, September 24, 2009
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