Van Drew Applauds Pinelands Commission Approval of Pipeline Project, Denounces Intimidation & Threats

TRENTON – Senator Jeff Van Drew issued the following statement after the New Jersey Pinelands Commission voted to approve the Cape Atlantic Reliability Project, which will power the B.L. England plant in Upper Township with natural gas:

“I want to thank the commissioners who voted to approve the project. They had the courage to do what they thought was right, despite the threats to their safety and harassment they endured during this tumultuous process. Regardless of where you stand on this issue, or any issue for that matter, there is room for open debate.  This type of intimidation, which was also directed at me, is deplorable.

“Building this pipeline is the right thing to do. It will create a cleaner and more reliable system of energy delivery for the region by converting a coal plant to natural gas, without negatively impacting the environment. Importantly, the pipeline will run along the shoulder of a road, and not on the Pinelands, as incorrectly stated over and over again by special interest groups and others. It will also mean that local jobs will be maintained and more will be created. All of this will benefit the health, safety and economic wellbeing of our residents for years to come.

“This project is critically important for Cape May and Atlantic counties, for the region and the entire state, and this vote means we can continue moving this process forward.”