Pilgrim Oil Pipeline Denied Access by PSEG, Causing Major Setback for the Project

The Pilgrim Pipeline project has received a direct hit from PSE&G, a decision that could prevent the private company from building two oil pipelines that would travel across Essex, Bergen, Morris, Union, Somerset, and Middlesex counties in New Jersey.

The Pilgrim Pipeline was denied access to PSE&G right of way by the PSE&G Corporate Lands Division and now senior leadership has upheld that decision. Transcontinental (Transco) Gas Pipeline Co., the company planning to build the pipeline, had asked the public utility for use of their easements to install two brand new oil pipelines across Northern New Jersey.

PSE&G senior leadership upheld the decision to block access, stating that Pilgrim Pipeline is not a designated utility and does not have eminent domain rights to secure the pathway.

Jeff Tittel Director of the NJ Sierra Club noted to the press that this move caused a “major blow” to the project, as the current plans show extensive use of existing PSE&G rights of way.

“This is a major setback to Pilgrim Pipeline,” Tittel said. “Without using the PSE&G right-of-way they are going to have a difficult time getting through New Jersey with this destructive pipeline. This pipeline would not only jeopardize our water and opens pace sand could lead to spills.”

About the Pilgrim Pipeline

The Pilgrim Pipeline will carry crude oil from Bakken shale oil fields in North Dakota. The pipeline will create two 178 mile oil pipelines running from Albany, NY to Linden, NJ: one carrying crude oil to the Bayway Refinery in New Jersey and the other carrying refined products up to Albany.

In an analysis of crude oil from North Dakota, the Wall Street Journal concluded that Bakken Shale oil “contains several times the combustible gasses” than any other oil, raising safety concerns that have caused local North New Jersey residents and members of local government to oppose the pipeline.

Impact on Essex County

Several communities throughout Essex County have passed resolutions against the pipeline, citing environmental impacts that could have the potential to damage nature preserves such as the Great Swamp in Chatham, and possibly put the health and safety of local residents at risk, NorthJersey.com reports.

These communities include Nutley, Clifton, Montclair, Little Falls, and Belleville. The Essex County Board of Chosen Freeholders along with the Essex County Environmental Commission has also spoken against the pipeline. According to stoppilgrimpipeline.com, more than 40 New Jersey organizations are working to stop the pipeline.

Education Forums in Essex County: Learn More About the Pipeline

The planned route of the Pilgrim Pipeline will run very close to Roseland, and near PSE&G high voltage lines in Livingston, according to the Green Party of Essex County.

An education forum will be held for the public to learn more about the Pilgrim Pipeline project. The next Essex County meeting will be held on Dec. 11 at 7 p.m. in Roseland at the Essex County Environmental Center, located at 621 Eagle Rock Avenue.

The Roseland meeting, hosted by Roseland Against the Compressor Station, will feature Kate Millsaps of the Sierra Club.

“Concerned citizens, municipal officials, county freeholders, and state legislators, up and down the route are coming out and opposing this project because of the unacceptable risks it presents to our environment, drinking water, and public health,” Millsaps said. “We thank PSE&G for standing with the local communities and helping to keep this ill-conceived project out of our state.”

Photo courtesy of Facebook.com.