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Federal officials on Thursday granted a key permit for the development of natural gas compressor stations in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, benefiting New York state customers.
The permit, issued by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, was the last federal permit required by Tennessee Gas Pipeline for its upcoming East 300 upgrade project.
The $246 million East 300 Upgrade project, designed to serve new connections in Westchester County, New York for regional energy company Consolidated Edison, includes the construction of a new 19,000 hp turbine in West Milford and the expansion of two existing compressor stations in Pennsylvania and County Sussex. The latter, tucked away in a tony Wantage compartment, is set to get a new 20,500hp gas-fired supercharger unit.
Opponents, including officials at environmental nonprofit Food and Water Watch, have denied the project as inappropriate plans by the New York and New Jersey governments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Allison Orsi, a Wantage resident, said she feels the project is threatening the ecosystem, her health and her community.
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“We need to keep fossil fuels in the ground so they don’t exacerbate climate change,” she said. “We must stop this expansion.”
Officials from both the pipeline company and ConEd have said the project is necessary to meet increasing gas demand in existing service areas. Pipeline officials have also said the project could offset emissions by switching existing home users from heating oil to natural gas.
A public hearing regarding the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection’s pending clean air permit is expected later this spring. The permit is one of the few remaining obstacles preventing construction of the new West Milford compressor station. The facility is expected to be located in the former quarry, which currently houses a mulch yard, and in close proximity to the pipeline where it will meander under Monksville Reservoir.
The project was originally scheduled to begin construction last month. Challenges, including an appeal against an exception to the Highlands Act that reached the state Supreme Court, have plagued the delay.
David Zimmer is a local reporter for NorthJersey.com. For unlimited access to the most important news from your local community, subscribe or activate your digital account today.
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