Gov. Murphy’s EO Does Not Stop Non-Essential Fossil Fuel Projects

Today, Governor Murphy signed an Executive Order that will stop all non-essential construction in New Jersey by Friday at 8 p.m. in response to COVID-19. Murphy included exemptions for construction projects that involve hospitals, schools, affordable housing, transportation, utility work, emergency repairs and individual housing sites that can continue to operate under strict social distancing guidelines.

“We are in a health emergency and it is critical for New Jersey to halt and or postpone all unnecessary construction so that we can focus on protecting our health. That is why it is critical that Governor Murphy should not allow an exemption on construction for utility projects like the SRL. This is not a project that is needed to keep the lights on. The SRL pipeline is built in redundancy and is not essential or even needed.  Even though it is an interstate pipeline, it is owned by the utilities. This loophole will let NJNG be able to work right in front of people’s homes,” said Jeff Tittel, Director of the New Jersey Sierra Club. “New York has already stopped construction on National Grid’s North Brooklyn Pipeline, a similar project to SRL. New Jersey needs to follow New York’s lead; we should not be continuing non-essential construction that will put our health in danger.”

NJNG’s Southern Reliability Link is currently constructing their pipeline in Monmouth County and are moving towards Burlington County. The proposed Southern Reliability Link (SRL) pipeline would connect to a compressor station in Chesterfield and run 28 miles of pipe through Burlington, Monmouth, and Ocean Counties. The line would threaten the ecosystems, communities, and drinking water in the Pinelands. This pipeline clearly violates the Pinelands rules because this type of infrastructure is only allowed through the Pinelands Forest Preservation Area, if it primarily serves the Pinelands, but it does not.

“Governor Murphy’s EO falls flat when it comes to stopping unnecessary and unneeded fossil fuel projects that are currently under construction. NJNG’s SRL pipeline is still moving forward in spite of the public health emergency. Murphy has allowed only essential utility work for NJ residents, however the SRL pipeline is built in redundancy and is not essential or even needed. Despite the fact that we are in court with them, NJNG is already cutting streets off in Monmouth and Ocean County and people cannot get to their homes. They are risking public safety by blocking traffic which is especially difficult for emergency vehicles. Transient workers could also spread the virus along the pipeline route. What’s even more concerning is that in response to the pandemic, courts have closed, which means the pipeline could be completed before we have our day in court,” said Tittel.

In response to COVID-19, Governor Cuomo has issued a Pause Order directing non-essential meetings/gatherings to be suspended or canceled. The DEC is canceling several public hearings and extending the comment period for the rulemakings for 30 days.

“New Jersey needs to follow New York’s lead when it comes to stopping and postponing controversial projects during the health crisis. We should not be pushing out permits or continuing non-essential construction. For example, we asked for an extension for public comments on NESE and we didn’t get it, unlike Governor Cuomo who granted it for New York. Controversial projects like NJNG’s SRL pipeline, the NJ Turnpike and GSP Expansion are still pushing through despite the health emergency,” said Tittel.

New Jersey and 19 other states requested the Office of Management and Budget in Washington, D.C to freeze all new and pending regulations that do not address emergency situations. In his statement, General Grewal said, “nothing is more important for New Jersey right now than stopping the spread of COVID-19 and ensuring that our residents get the health care and financial support they need during the pandemic. We need the federal government to stay focused, too. So we are calling on the Administration to prioritize its response to COVID-19, and its economic fallout, instead of pushing through rules that don’t address the most urgent needs of people in New Jersey and across the country.”

“Controversial projects like the Williams Transco NESE project, NJNG’s SRL pipeline, the NJ Turnpike and GSP Expansion are still pushing through despite the health emergency. NJ needs to take one step further by putting a moratorium on unnecessary state and local projects during the coronavirus outbreak. It is important that on a federal, national, and local level, that we postpone hearings and extend the public comment period so that the public has a chance to be able to participate in these projects that will have major impacts on our environment. These are unprecedented times and drastic measures need to be taken,” said Jeff Tittel, Director of the New Jersey Sierra Club.