Victory for Environment: Holmdel Rejects NJNG Regulator Station Again        

The Holdmel Zoning Board unanimously voted no on New Jersey Natural Gas’s application for an industrial natural gas regulator. The proposal consisted of a gas pressure reduction facility, which shall include an above-ground heater unit, a filter, piping, valves, regulators, a control box and related equipment. The regulator would have been built close to nearby homes, an elementary school, a vineyard, preserved farmland, and the Swimming River Watershed.

“In a victory for the environment, Holmdel Zoning Board rejected NJNG’s regulator station proposal for the second time. This industrial project does not belong in the beautiful farm town of Holmdel and it is important that it has been denied. A regulator station would have caused harm to the environment and hurt the aesthetics of the scenic and pristine area of Holmdel,” said Jeff Tittel, Director of the New Jersey Sierra Club. “We thank the Holdmel Zoning Board for standing up to NJNG’s dirty infrastructure project and protecting our clean air and water.”

NJNG’s proposed natural gas regulator station would have been less than 1 mile away from nearby homes across the street from preserved farmland and a vineyard. The station would also be 1.5 miles away from Village Elementary School, Holmdel Park, and Cross Farms Field. This property is not zoned for this industrial use.

“It is critical that NJNG’s application has been rejected. It did not meet critical beneficial use. A natural gas regulator station would have created public detriment without public good. It would have ruined preserved farmland, potentially contaminate drinking water and pristine waterways, and create safety concerns for communities,” said Tittel.

Residents of Holdmel packed the Zoning Board meeting last night in opposition. Many were concerned of the cumulative effects of what the regulator station could have on the town. Some residents just moved into Holdmel from out of state because of its farmland and quiet appeal. They questioned if NJNG’s proposal would just be the tip of the ice berg for more infrastructure.

“Stopping NJNG’s application for a regulator station is important because it would have impacted the scenic and pristine area of Holmdel. We thank the Holdmel Zoning board for upholding the town’s zoning and master plan by rejecting NJNG’s application. We must remain vigilant however because NJNG can come back with a proposal for a regulator station in a different area,” said Jeff Tittel, Director of the New Jersey Sierra Club. “The public showed up and the zoning board listened. This is why it is so important for people to stand up for what is right.”