Tom Kean Jr. Endorsed by PennEast Supporter- U.S Chamber of Commerce

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is backing Tom Kean, Jr. for Congress in the 7th district. The Chamber of Commerce are one of the biggest lobbyist groups for polluters. They supported many of President Trump’s rollbacks on the environment. They are also the one of the biggest supporters of the PennEast Pipeline which will run through the western part of the 7th district coincidentally.

“Tom Kean Jr. has fallen silent on the PennEast pipeline and has now been endorsed by its biggest supporters. Senator Kean Jr’s silence has been deafening as one of the biggest and damaging pipeline projects in his district is moving forward. The U.S Chamber of Commerce are a major supporter for Penneast, conducted reports and press releases in support of its pipeline, and is an intervenor in the Third Circuit Court ruling on eminent domain. The U.S Chamber of Commerce are in lockstep with Trump’s war on the environment. They supported Trumps’ move to pull out of the Paris Accord, roll back WOTUS and more,” said Jeff Tittel, Director of the New Jersey Sierra Club. “Tom Kean Jr. being endorsed by the U.S Chamber of Commerce, who have a very anti-environmental record, shows what Tom Kean Jr. is on the environment, especially dealing with unnecessary pipelines like PennEast,”
In March, the U.S. and Pennsylvania Chambers urge Supreme Court to review a Third Circuit opinion that disrupts 70 years of interstate pipeline law and practice. They argued that the Third Circuit has drained Section 717f(h) of much of its purpose by holding that the provision does not and cannot apply to state-owned property and the Third Circuit’s contrary reading is wrong. The U.S Chamber of Commerce also came out with an analysis that blocking the northeast pipeline project would cost over 78,000 jobs and $7.6 billion in GDP.

“The U.S Chamber of Commerce is in lockstep with the Trump administration and support his rollbacks to the environment, including opening public lands for mining. They are one probably the most anti-environmental lobbying groups in the national and yet Tom Kean Jr. is proud of this endorsement. It’s only fair to say they would not want to be in the pocket of someone who has already opposed the pipeline. Tom Kean Jr. voted against a bill that would urge Commissioner Martin to deny a critical water permit for the PennEast Pipeline. He voted against a bill that would rescind DEP’s septic system standards that would threaten the Highlands. Tom Kean Jr. has voted against RGGI, voted against upholding the Paris Climate Accord, against EV Charging Infrastructure, against rejoining NJ to the U.S Climate Alliance, and against legislation that would set a goal for New Jersey to reach 80% renewable energy by 2050,” said Tittel.

Some of the major state-owned properties that are part of the PennEast Pipeline route include the Delaware River and Raritan Canal, Bulls Island State Park, Goat Hill, Baldpate Mountain. Near its southern terminus, the pipeline would cut through the Sourland Mountain, which contains the last contiguous forested areas in central New Jersey and has been recognized as a unique and fragile ecosystem.

“Tom Kean Jr.’s father was called Mr. Open Space and yet the PennEast pipeline would threaten the entire Valley including 91 acres of wetlands and over 44 miles of forest, 88 waterways; over 1,600 acres’ total. is a serious project that will affect many people on both sides of the river but where has Tom Kean Jr. been on this issue? has This pipeline will create an ugly scar through the region. It will increase our greenhouse gases, worsen climate impacts, and endanger public health and the environment,” said Jeff Tittel, Director of the New Jersey Sierra Club. “The U.S Chamber of Commerce is a climate denier and in lockstep with Donald Trump’s reckless war on the environment. They are considered an anti-environmental group in Washington, D.C. We started the fight 6 years ago against the PennEast pipeline and yet Tom Kean Jr. hasn’t lifted a finger to stop the pipeline”