Madison Council Passes Resolution Opposing Construction of Pilgrim Oil Pipeline

The Borough of Madison has joined four other communities in taking the historic step to oppose the construction of a pipeline that would transport oil from Albany, New York to Linden, New Jersey.

This action calls for a moratorium on surveying and project planning within the Borough of Madison, Kate Millsaps, a Sierra Club representative explained. The resolution also states that “a thorough environmental review” must be conducted to assess the infrastructure’s impact on the environment.

Residents throughout the two states, including in neighboring Parsippany, have opposed the building of the Pilgrim Pipeline due to the potential environmental impact the construction could have on local communities.

“I am very concerned about the impacts this project could have on the drinking water supply for Madison and other towns,” Madison resident Margaret Gilhooley said. “The pipeline may come down Route 24. Madison gets its drinking water from an aquifer near this highway. If oil leaks, can the water be cleaned up and how clean will it be? Who will bear the cost? This could affect residents and businesses in this area.”

Local residents also expressed concern for the welfare of area nature preserves, like the Great Swamp in Chatham.

“The pipeline route could also impact the Great Swamp,” Gihooley said. “Spills of oil are likely to have a significant adverse effect on this federally-protected bird sanctuary and on towns in the watershed.”

If constructed, the project would include two pipelines: one carrying crude oil to the Bayway Refinery in New Jersey and the other carrying refined products up to Albany. The Pilgrim Pipeline would carry “Bakken Crude” oil, which has been used for hydraulic fracturing, also known as fracking.

“The pipeline would cross through environmentally sensitive areas critical for drinking water supply, including the NJ Highlands, and through densely populated communities,” Millsaps expressed, adding that according to the the Pipeline Hazardous Material Safety Administration, there are an average of 280 significant incidents and spills from pipelines every year.

Madison joins Parsippany, Montville, Watchung, and Oakland as the fourth community to oppose the Pilgrim Pipeline. Montville opposed the pipeline a month ago today, while Parsippany opposed the construction in June.

What are your thoughts on the Pilgrim Pipeline? Should construction be halted in more communities? Voice your opinion in the comments.