Bateman Voices Opposition to Central Jersey Natural Gas Compressor Project     Senator Christopher “Kip” Bateman (R-Middlesex, Mercer, Hunterdon, Somerset) voiced his opposition to a portion of the Williams Transco Northeast Supply Enhancement project that would put a massive natural gas compressor in central New Jersey, joining the Middlesex and Somerset county freeholder boards who came out against the proposed project this week.

Sen. Kip Bateman joined the growing opposition to a natural gas transmission project that includes a massive new compressor in central New Jersey. (SenateNJ.com)

“The people of Middlesex and Somerset counties don’t want this project,” Senator Bateman said. “It could have a negative effect on property values, and it could be invasive on our communities. Residents are worried it might even be dangerous.”

The project would transport natural gas from Pennsylvania to the New York City area through an underground pipeline that cuts through Hunterdon, Somerset and Middlesex counties to the Raritan Bay. It includes plans for a 32,000 horsepower gas compressor near the border of Franklin Township and South Brunswick.

This week, the Middlesex County Board of Chosen Freeholders announced they filed as intervenors with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), the federal agency that would ultimately approve the project. According to a report by the South Brunswick Patch, that allows the county to access any filings and documents related to the project. Somerset County’s freeholder board later announced their intention to file a similar motion with FERC.

“Improving our energy infrastructure is crucial to our state’s economic future,” Senator Bateman said. “However, if our residents have serious concerns about this project, we owe it to them to do whatever we can to find a solution that takes the health and safety of our communities into consideration first.”

Related Facebook Post:
https://www.facebook.com/kipbateman/posts/10156067198378625

Related Tweet:
https://twitter.com/KipBateman/status/857309135091773440

Website Post:
http://www.senatenj.com/index.php/bateman/bateman-voices-opposition-to-central-jersey-natural-gas-compressor-project/32617