Over Objections, Board Supports Pipeline in Pines

CREST HAVEN – Despite objections by three residents Dec. 10, freeholders passed a modified resolution supporting the South Jersey Gas proposal to place a nearly 22-mile, 24-inch pipeline from Millville to B.L. England Generating Station, Beesley’s Point.
Conversion of the plant from coal to natural gas was mandated to comply with clean air standards. The plant is located at the northern end of Cape May County on Great Egg Harbor Bay. The facility is owned by Rockland Capital.
The pipeline would be constructed by South Jersey Gas to deliver natural gas to the B.L. England power plant as part of its $400 million conversion from coal and oil to natural gas. It would also reinforce the fuel supply to 60,000 customers in Cape May County, all of whom are currently served by a single pipe. The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities also granted approval on April 29, according to the Rockland Capital website.
Following completion of the natural gas conversion in 2016, the 615 MW B.L. England facility is to have advanced pollution controls and be one of the cleanest and most efficient combined-cycle gas plants in the country, the firm claims.
The repowering will achieve several goals of New Jersey’s Energy Master Plan, including expanding New Jersey’s in-state electric generation, providing a solution to the retirement of the Oyster Creek Nuclear Generating Station, and together with the gas pipeline, expanding natural gas infrastructure to southeastern New Jersey. The reuse of the existing B.L. England site also maximizes the use of existing resources and minimizes the environmental impact of the facility.
Recent public hearings before the Pinelands Commission evoked sentiment against the proposal.
Dr. Steven Fenichel and Georgina Shanley, both of Ocean City, and Mary Jane Genestra of Ocean View voiced opposition of freeholders’ support of the proposal.
Fenichel noted concern with the Pinelands Commission’s memorandum of agreement that would allow South Jersey Gas to place a pipeline through the national preserve.
“From inception to present it was based on deception and lies,” Fenichel told the board. He alluded to “closed door” meetings between the utility and Board of Public Utilities that won approval and left the Pinelands Commission to permit, via the memorandum, something that is not allowed.
He said some commission members had voiced concern over the proposal. Further, he said when the plant burned coal, Ocean City was ranked 14th highest among metropolitan areas located downwind of a coal-fired generation station for residents with high rates of heart disease, emphysema and asthma.
Burning of natural gas, Fenichel said, would result in ultra-fine particles to be emitted that could cause bronchial inflammations as well as causing brain barriers to be inflamed, as well as asthma and emphysema.
Pinelands’ regulations prohibit such transit uses, he said. “There is no way this pipeline will service the needs of the pinelands,” he added. “This is being rushed through by the powers that be. It is another back-door agreement,” Fenichel said. He also cited lack of an environmental impact statement, as required by regulations. “This is a rush job and it needs to be rejected,” he said.
Shanley told the board, “What we’re looking at has the potential of really damaging the precious treasure, the pinelands.” She continued the pipeline would not “benefit the people in the pinelands.” The utility is a “for-profit operation” and the pipeline “is not for the benefit of all of us,” she said.
“It behooves you to wait to get more information. You do represent all of us,” Shanley said adding, the “reason why this is being rushed through is because the owners of B.L. England, Rockland Capital, a holding company in Texas, with the parent company in Japan. They have been until the end of December to tell N.J. DEP whether they are going to repower the plant. It’s all guns blazing. Wait until all the information is in…I really would ask you as a citizen and as a neighbor to reject this one. At the very least, table it until you get more information.”
Freeholder Director Gerald Thornton replied when all had voiced their concerns that the state and county agricultural boards supported the measure, as did the state DEP and other state agencies. Also, he cited Health Department statistics that cited high rates of asthma, emphysema and heart problems on a largely-senior citizen population, not caused by coal-burning generators.
“This memorandum of agreement is written to bypass the law,” said Genestra. “You know within your hearts what we are saying is the truth,” she added. “A lot of people say, ‘Talk all you want nobody is going to hear you,” she continued.
Thornton replied no one on the board who doubted the sincerity of all three who spoke. When Genestra questioned the pinelands commission, Freeholder Will Morey asked her, “Why can’t I rely on the Pinelands Commission whose mission it is to protect the pinelands?”
“Because there are seven appointed by the governor, others are county representatives. I do believe they will do the right thing,” Genestra said.
“In my view, I am relying on the Pinelands Commission,” said Morey.
“I was there. I haven’t seen you there,” said Fenichel.
“I understand, and you probably won’t,” said Morey. “They have a responsibility and they are on the other side of this document. If they find it to be hazardous to what they are entrusted to protect, I would rely on them for that,” he continued.
“Why would you be interceding for someone else?” asked Fenichel.
“We are relying on the Pinelands Commission. Can I finish?” Morey said.
When Fenichel said the memorandum had created a “public outcry,” Morey responded, “To me that is the process. I think that the Pinelands Commission certainly has been very active in protection of the pinelands. Ultimately, they are the party to discuss the agreement with the BPU. I am not uncomfortable supporting that because, to me, if, in fact, they find it not in the best interest of the pinelands they won’t execute it. If they are not following the law, they will be challenged on that. But, to me, they are the authority as well as the DEP. What am I missing with that?”
“Why would you be encouraging the Pinelands Commission to violate the laws?” Shanley asked.
“I am relying on them to know their own laws,” said Morey. “I am not in favor of coal-burning facilities. I think natural gas is a much better choice, but I don’t have a scientific background to know all those issues. What I do know, the Pinelands Commission is supportive and I trust them.” Morey said.
“On our behalf you should not have this resolution to break their own laws and support South Jersey Gas. I appeal to you not to do that,” Shanley said.
After discussion about rewording its planned resolution on the evening’s agenda, the board unanimously passed the resolution so that it would become part of the public record of the commission.
“It is so inappropriate for you to use this time to support something…” said Fenichel.
“I don’t agree,” said Thornton. “It wasn’t fast-tracked. The state Agriculture Commission and the County Agricultural Commission in June and July said that they favored that. On the other side of the coin you could find people with a different point of view that would oppose this,” said Thornton.
“We look at what is in the best view of the county. You are not the sole judge of that,” said Morey. “I am ready to move this resolution forward.”
“You made the motion,” said Thornton. “I am making the motion to offer all the resolutions, and move for their adoption, with exception to Resolution 1026 that it be modified after the benefit of public comment,” said Morey.
“People get the leadership they deserve,” said Fenichel adding, “The blind leading the blind.”
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Board of Chosen Freeholder’s Resolution
RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE EXECUTION OF A MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE NEW JERSEY BOARD OF PUBLIC UTILITIES AND THE PINELANDS COMMISSION FOR THE PURPOSE OF AUTHORIZING THE SOUTH JERSEY GAS COMPANY’S APPLICATION TO CONSTRUCT A HIGH-PRESSURE NATURAL GAS TRANSMISSION LINE TO SERVE THE B.L. ENGLAND PLANT
WHEREAS, South Jersey Gas (SJG) has proposed to construct a new natural gas pipeline from Maurice River Township in Cumberland County to the existing Beasley’s Point electric generating plant in Upper Township, Cape May County; and
WHEREAS, the proposed 24-inch diameter steel pipeline is needed to supply natural gas from the existing South Jersey Gas pipeline system to the existing B. L. England Generating Station in order to facilitate the conversion of the facility from a coal to a natural gas fueled generating plant for the production of electricity, pursuant to the terms of a New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) Administrative Consent Order designed to significantly reduce air quality impacts; and
WHEREAS, the project will result in an improvement of air quality, energy capacity, and reliability of service in the region; and
WHEREAS, the proposed route of the 21.7-mile pipeline project has been designed to be placed largely within existing State, County and Municipal road rights-of-ways, within a cleared Atlantic City Electric power line easement and along a rail line, avoiding or minimizing impacts to the New Jersey Pinelands, wetlands, threatened and endangered species habitat, a Wild and Scenic River corridor, archeological and historic resources as well as areas regulated by the Coastal Area Facilities Review Act (CAFRA); and
WHEREAS, the Pinelands Commission, consistent with its Comprehensive Management Plan for the development and preservation of the Pinelands and compliance thereto, and the Board of Public Utilities have developed a Memorandum of Understanding which would authorize the construction of the portions of the proposed pipeline within the Forest Area; and
WHEREAS, the Pinelands Commission took public comment at a hearing on December 9, 2013 for the purpose of eliciting comment on the proposed MOA, and that public comment will be utilized by the Commission, consistent with the Comprehensive Management Plan referenced above, in order to make its final determination in the matter.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Chosen Freeholders of the County of Cape May does hereby support the execution of the Memorandum of Agreement in order to facilitate the implementation of the South Jersey Gas Pipeline project.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Pin.eland Commission is hereby asked to include this Resolution and the statements contained therein as part of the public comment record for this project.
STATEMENT
This Resolution supports the execution of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Board of Public Utilities and the Pine lands Commission which is necessary for the South Jersey Gas Pipeline Project.