Learn about the Proposed Pipeline Compressor Station
Pipeline Information
Tennessee Gas Pipeline Company is looking to expand the pressure in their pipeline that runs across the Highlands region. This expansion threatens the environment, the water supply, and a proposed compressor station will be a nuisance to West Milford and Ringwood. Below you will find links to learn more.
Major Victory Delivered from the New Jersey Court System
For years, the author of this site has been saying that the NJDEP's interpretation of Exemption 11 is a glaring loophole that allows multi-state utilities to run roughshod over the Highlands Area. The court has finally weighed in and decided Exemption 11 is much narrower. Click below for the full verdict.
Key Project Points
Why Expand?
Volatile Organic Compounds Released
Volatile Organic Compounds Released
This expansion is requested by ConEd to bring natural gas to NEW HOMES in Westchester county. NY has already banned fracking within the state, but has no problem buying the gas from PA and shipping it through NJ.
Volatile Organic Compounds Released
Volatile Organic Compounds Released
Volatile Organic Compounds Released
Pipeline compressor stations will leak VOC's into the surrounding area. During a "blow down" a large amount of gas is released and the station will be as loud as a jet engine. Pigging is meant to clean the pipeline, but those contaminants are simply released into the local air.
Hiking and Monksville Reservoir
Volatile Organic Compounds Released
Hiking and Monksville Reservoir
The proposed location in West Milford is just above the Monksville Reservoir. Serene hiking trails and the reservoir itself will suffer from the noise pollution 24/7 as well as the ear-shattering blow downs. The chemicals released from this station will waft over the reservoir and settle into this water.
Millions Rely on this Water
Millions Rely on this Water
Hiking and Monksville Reservoir
Compressor stations are known to release chemicals into their immediate environment. The proposed location is next to a C1 stream (Hewitt Brook) that flows right into the Monksville Reservoir and consequently into the Wanaque Reservoir, a water source for over 3 million NJ residents.
Unfulfilled Promises
Millions Rely on this Water
Against the Highlands Act
Many of the promises TGP made when building the pipeline almost a decade ago remain unfulfilled. Only the plantings near visible roadways have been watered. In the interior, all access gates are broken and the only sign of revegetation are empty green tubes. Some areas are so compromised they need to be sprayed with pesticides.
Against the Highlands Act
Millions Rely on this Water
Against the Highlands Act
TGP claims that their expansion falls under exemption #11. This exemption was to allow utilities to better serve the residents of the Highlands region. It is hard to fathom how an upgrade for a fracked gas line to feed a state (NY) that will not allow this environmentally harmful practice is “consistent with the goals and purposes of the Highlands Act.”
Additional Resources to Learn More
Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed East 300 Upgrade Project
The final EIS was released in September 2021. This was a fast turnaround for FERC. They added some verbiage about the precautions TGP has to take, but those are usually not monitored. One plus was the vague language that FERC will now recognize greenhouse gas emissions since courts are starting to stop projects they approved. Unfortunately, the language is so weak it most likely is inconsequential.
Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed East 300 Upgrade Project
This draft statement was released in July 2021. Among the questionable elements are the statements on the West Milford taxes and the inconsistency in the number of people that will be "permanently employed" from the project. It's just more empty promises from TGP. Even more outstanding is that this project would represent over 7% of New York's 2050 emissions. Clearly that would never come to pass, so one must ask what is this project really trying to do? It flies in the face of the stated climate goals for NY and the entire USA.
Watch the full Town Hall Meeting
This is a Facebook video of the 90-minute town hall meeting. It is a long video, but covers most of the information on the project as well as the experiences of residents that wished they had stopped their own area compressor station.
General Information about Compressor Stations
Presentation on Compressor Stations - Emissions and Health Risks
This is part of the town hall presentation. You can view the slides by clicking below.
Make your voice Heard
Act - Sign the Online Petition to Governor Murphy
The Action Network has a quick way to make your voice heard at the Governor's office.
Act - Send emails to Local Leaders
This page will automatically send emails to local representatives.
Resources for Writing more Leaders and Commenting on Official Sites
If you want to take further action, this is a place to give you additional information. There are tips and suggestions to write letters and places to send those letter. Please understand that this section is actively being developed and is not in final form.