SC Request Full Investigation of SRL Pipeline

The NJ Sierra Club has sent letters to the Board of Public Utilities, their Resiliency & Safety Division, and Governor Murphy requesting a stay and full investigation on the New Jersey Natural Gas (NJNG) Southern Reliability Link (SRL). There have been reports along the pipeline route in Monmouth, Ocean, and Burlington county about problems with the building of the pipeline. These include spills, potential sinkholes, and materials from drilling in streams and ditches.

“There have been serious problems with the SRL pipeline. They’ve had several violations and drilling incidents in Upper Freehold, Burlington County, and in Plumsted Township. We are concerned about the security and integrity of the pipeline. That is why Governor Murphy needs to put a stop work order in place until we have our day in court and to conduct a thorough investigation to fix and deal with any problems from the pipeline,” said Jeff Tittel, Director of the New Jersey Sierra Club. “Since Governor Murphy, the BPU, the DEP and the Pinelands Commission has allowed NJNG to continue construction of their pipeline at their own risk, there have been many problems and a home has been destroyed. This administration has been siding with NJNG but now they need to step up and protect the environment and the residents living along the SRL route.”

Last week a homeowner in Upper Freehold whose house is next to the SRL pipeline, heard an explosion in her home. She discovered huge cracks in her foundation, her basement floor and even her walls. This was caused by a blowout from horizontal directional drilling (“HDD”) that came through the ground and moved the resident’s basement slab, destabilizing the house. A Chesterfield Building Inspector condemned the resident’s home due to a hydrological incident involving drilling for the SRL pipeline. The slab of the home cracked due to hydrostatic pressure and the building inspector advised the residents to leave for their safety. This was the 2nd or third incident involving SRL in the same area.

“NJNG has created a disaster for the people of Upper Freehold and along the route. This pipeline has affected their air, water, and now their homes. We knew this was a disaster waiting to happen. We are concerned that NJNG have to still complete a major portion of the pipeline that could open up for more disasters and major incidents. That is why the Murphy Administration needs to at least stop the project until we have our day in court and there is a thorough investigation conducted,” said Tittel. “The pipeline has caused irreparable harm to the environment, and is putting a blow torch just feet away from people’s homes.”

Burlington County issued a stop work for NJNG’s SRL pipeline until they comply with new permit requirements. This is the 2nd stop work order issued by the county. In May, New Jersey Natural Gas continued the construction of their Southern Reliability Link pipeline in Burlington along Province Line Road despite an immediate stop work order issued by Burlington County. Just yesterday in New Egypt of Ocean County on Fisher and West Colliers Mill, near the SRL construction, a pipe collapsed causing a sinkhole. Roads will be closed for several weeks for repair.

“In Burlington County we have been hearing many different reports along the route with three or four incidents from people. Burlington County has just issued a stop work order for NJNG’s SRL pipeline until they come in and comply with the new permit requirements. This is the second time that Burlington County has issued a stop work order and it is critical that they enforce it,” said Tittel. “What we have been warning against has now happened. Yesterday in New Egypt in Ocean County, there was another incident involving HDD drilling near the SRL construction route, similar to what happened on the Delaware with Tenneco Gas. Enough is enough. Since the DEP and the county did not hold NJNG accountable after continued violations, we now have a catastrophe because of that.”

On Monday, a Level II Radiography Technician pleaded guilty for falsifying testing results for x-rays of the pipeline welds for the Mariner East natural gas pipeline. Springer, however, falsified the x-ray results on approximately 77 occasions because the original x-rays were flawed. Springer then certified in writing that the welds had been properly x-rayed and the exposures were acceptable when, in truth and fact, such certifications were false.

“We have serious concerns with the pipeline construction and proof of contractors falsifying welding test results. That is why we need to be vigilant and on top of what is going on during the SRL construction. This is especially important since the route is so close to people’s homes. After the past few months of violations, blowouts, and more during construction of the pipeline, there needs to be an investigation on how the SRL pipeline has been built so far and the next stretch forward. The Murphy Administration must change the way companies drill for pipelines and prohibit HDD. The state also needs a stricter 401 process that involves an independent review of water quality,” said Jeff Tittel, Director of the New Jersey Sierra Club.