Stinky Smell a Result of 150-Pound Controlled Natural Gas Release

Something stunk in Florham Park Thursday, but residents should not fear the smelly air.

High concentrations of natural gas were released into the air and affected areas in Hanover and Florham Park, and other surrounding towns, as a result of a planned release by Williams/Transco in Livingston, according to Morris County Office of Emergency Management Director Jeffrey Paul.

"These high concentrations are creating local issues," Paul said in a message to all Morris County OEM coordinators, police officers, firefighters and CERT teams. "We have been in touch with our partners at [Public Service Electric and Gas] and although this is not a PSE&G issue, they are working with us to resolve the problem."

The gas release began around 7:30 a.m. Thursday and was scheduled to end around 10 p.m., Paul said. About 150 pounds of gas were planned to be released, the majority of which was let out by early afternoon.

To mask the gassy smell, Paul said an orange-smelling agent was released into the air.

"This issue has also impacted Public Service Electric & Gas since they continue to receive a high volume of reported gas leaks in Morris and neighboring counties, each of which needs to be investigated regardless of the likelihood that it is related to this incident," Paul said.

The county made a request to the Livingston company, which delivers gas from Texas to New York City, that the gas smell be remedied immediately.