Some Climate Activists Convicted, Others Released After Blocking Construction Site of Pipeline Expansion Project in West Milford this past April to call on The Murphy Administration to Stop Fossil Fuel Expansion

Photos and videos available from the April Protest available here (credit Food & Water Watch): https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1PFJxIfDFy0IaEF6VVFFst-bhdMYlNuFb

Criminal proceedings concluded on Thursday, July 13, against activists who peacefully blocked access to Tennessee Gas Pipeline Companies’s West Milford construction site where a contested new fracked gas compressor station is under construction despite nearly three years of resident-led opposition to the project.

Activists sat down in front of the gate and locked arms in an act of civil disobedience blocking vehicular access to call on Governor Murphy to stop construction of this new gas compressor, part of a larger project that involves the new station under construction in West Milford, and a massive expansion of an existing compressor station in Wantage, as well as another in Pennsylvania. Eight activists ranging in age from 20 to 80 were arrested.

Three of the activists pled guilty to “Defiant Trespass,” a petty disorderly persons offense, and then received “conditional discharges” which will dismiss the charges if they comply with the terms of their probation for a year.  Four other demonstrators had their charges dismissed “in the interest of justice.”  The eighth demonstrator could not be in court due to a family emergency.  Her case will be heard on a later date.

“West Milford authorities, from the arresting officers, to the municipal prosecutor and judge handled this demonstration with restraint and fairness from beginning to end,” said Bennet D. Zurofsky, the attorney who represented the demonstrators on a pro bono basis.  “While I do not wish to attribute any views on the compressor station project to these officials, it seemed that they were all supportive of the underlying cause of fighting climate change and environmental degradation.  They therefore enforced the trespassing laws, but in a merciful manner.”

“After I pleaded guilty and was put on probation for 1 year, I told the judge about my concern as a mother, grandmother, and teacher about the children. I explained that the Tennessee Gas Pipeline ‘s compressor station would force gas through 65 year old pipelines that were likely to leak into the land and into the Monksville, Oradell, and Wanaque Reservoirs that provide drinking water for nearly 4 million people. A blowout of the compressor could send toxins into the water, air and land and could cause fires in West Milford which had experienced wildfires recently. The fossil fuel gas that would run through the pipeline will cause more pollution and will intensify global warming. While the judge said he appreciated my passion, “You should find other ways to reach your goals.” I only wish I could have blurted out in court that we have already petitioned, held forums, testified at hearings, rallied and marched, and even filed a lawsuit over the last several years to call on Gov. Murphy to stop this polluting project. To no avail.” Paula Rogovin, Don’t Gas the Meadowlands Coalition

Compressor stations are the polluting, dangerous, engineers that facilitate fracked gas transmission through the over three million miles of interstate gas pipelines that snake their way around the United States. Fracked gas, which is primarily made up of methane, is a major source of climate pollution. This so-called “East 300 Upgrade” expansion project would allow Tennessee Gas Pipeline to pipe higher volumes of fracked gas from Pennsylvania across New Jersey through an aging 65-year-old pipeline en route to Westchester County, New York.

“If completed, this compressor station will sit less than 1,200 feet from the Monksville Reservoir, part of a system that provides clean drinking water to millions of NJ residents,” said Jane Califf of 350 NJ-Rockland.. “A leak or accident involving one of the chemicals stored on site could be disastrous to our water supply! The NJ Highlands Act was passed to protect this region from development to protect the critical water resources here. That this toxic project is allowed to be built here is shameful! Governor Murphy must STOP this project now!”

Residents are also concerned about the impacts of piping higher volumes and pressures of gas along the pipeline route, many parts of which are over 65 years old, well beyond the useful lifespan of steel pipelines.

All of the expanded gas capacity from this project will be sold to NY State utility company Con Edison for distribution in Westchester County. for use in new home and business development. This stands in contrast to NY’s move away from continued fossil fuel use.

“Who is this development even for? As New Yorkers, we reject the claim that any new dirty energy is ‘needed’ in our state, where gas from this pipeline is destined. There is literally no demand for more fracked gas in New York,” said Teddy Ogborn, organizer with Reclaim Our Tomorrow. “The only purpose of any new fossil fuel infrastructure is the same as it always has been: to line the pockets of billionaires who are selling our future for profit. Governor Murphy has got to stop taking such massive steps backwards while our planet burns.”

“Governor Murphy can’t seriously claim to be a climate leader if he keeps approving dirty energy expansion projects like this one,” said Food & Water Watch organizer Sam DiFalco. “We are in court challenging two of the permits for East 300, but Governor Murphy could put a stop to this project himself. The time for bold climate action is now.”

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