SC Calls on NJ Transit to Stop Meadowlands Power Plant

Newark: Today the New Jersey Sierra Club joined environmental groups at a rally in opposition of NJ Transit’s natural gas power plant proposal in Kearny, New Jersey. The rally was held outside of the NJ Transit Headquarters.  The proposed NJ TRANSITGRID will be powered by a 104-140 MW natural gas-fired power generating plant. The proposed site of the natural gas powerplant will be in Kearny, New Jersey just miles away from the proposed Meadowland Power Plant. Jeff Tittel, Director of the New Jersey Sierra Club released the following statement:

“You cannot have a resiliency project if you power it with a fossil fuel power plant.This is the height of hypocrisy when we have a Governor who came out against the Meadowlands power plant and says he cares about climate change and reducing GHG’s when the state of New Jersey itself is  building a natural gas power plant. A resiliency natural gas power plant is an oxymoron. It is just the opposite of resilient. This is a natural gas power plant and what is even worse is that is right on top of the Meadowland Power Plant, in the middle of an EJ Community, and in an area that floods. It’s a one two-punch against our lungs.  Government agencies are supposed to protect the public and promote renewable energy, they are doing just the opposite.

“NJ Transit, a state agency, should not be pushing more fossil fuels and air pollution in an EJ community. What makes it even worse is that they are using taxpayer money to do it. EJ communities have some of the worst air quality in the nation and building another natural gas power plant will only exacerbate that. These types of plants emit heavy metals and chemicals like ammonia and nitrogen oxide. The proposed Meadowlands power plant site is less than 10 miles away and Kearny already has natural gas power plant that is in service NJ Transit could use. The Alden Leeds chlorine plant that caught fire and the Keegan Landfill that has a contamination problem are also nearby.

“The agency says it will be a backup but it will actually run 24/7. This means the power plant will emit over 383,000 tons of carbon dioxide along emit heavy metals and chemicals like ammonia, nitrogen oxide, and mercury. This area in particular has some of the worst air pollution in the nation. It’s in the center of a cluster of dirty fuel projects in New Jersey and near the NJ Turnpike. This power plant will also cause serious health impacts to nearby communities. Ozone levels are so high that it may put sensitive individuals at risk, including such as children, the elderly and people suffering from asthma, heart disease and other lung ailments.

“Relying on natural gas is not resilient versus renewable energy that is on site. NJ Transit can power the grid with solar or battery storage, don’t be fossil foolish. The agency need to look at no-bid alternatives like using renewable energy like solar, wind, geothermal, and using battery storage and flywheels. These alternatives are not only cheaper, but safer for us and the environment. The purpose of this project is to protect us from another Sandy. By building more fossil fuel projects, it will make another superstorm like Sandy happened again and the damage would be even worse.

“We are fighting 5 proposed fossil fuel power plants in New Jersey, and now 6 with our own state pushing for one. Instead of reducing climate impacts, the Murphy Administration is digging New Jersey its own grave. We must ask the Murphy Administration to stop this natural gas power plant from polluting our state and preventing us from reaching our renewable energy goals.”