Trenton, NJ – Today a coalition of environmental groups filed a lawsuit in the New Jersey Superior Court, Appellate Division appealing the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection’s (DEP) approval of a utility license to the Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Company – owned by Williams – for the Northeast Supply Enhancement Project (NESE), a $1 billion project that would expand the existing Transco natural gas pipeline system with over 23 miles of offshore pipeline. DEP approved the project following an initial go-ahead from the Tidelands Resource Council.

The DEP approval allows Transco to run portions of the NESE project through the environmentally sensitive Tidelands, which the state owns and holds in trust for the people of New Jersey.  The interstate pipeline expansion would be used to transport fracked natural gas from Pennsylvania to New York under the Raritan Bay and the Lower New York Bay.

Food & Water Watch, along with Central Jersey Safe Energy Coalition, New Jersey LCV, NY/NJ Baykeeper, and Princeton Manor Homeowners Association filed the appeal of the DEP’s approval because it is not public interest or the state’s interest to use the Tidelands for a fracked gas project that conflicts with the State’s climate, clean energy, and coastal resilience policies. The NESE project would threaten the Tidelands with habitat fragmentation, groundwater contamination and harm to ecologically sensitive areas. Additionally, construction of the pipeline risks dredging up pollutants such as mercury and PCBs into New Jersey recreational waters, posing human health risks, and operation of the project will increase climate-harming greenhouse gas emissions.

The groups are represented by the Eastern Environmental Law Center.

“We’re challenging the state’s approval because New Jersey should not sacrifice its Tideland communities and environment for this filthy fracked gas pipeline,” said Food & Water Watch Central Jersey Organizer Charlie Kratovil. “Governor Sherrill’s DEP has issued a foolish endorsement of expanded fossil fuel infrastructure that undercuts New Jersey clean energy solutions, and threatens our air, water and climate stability moving forward.”

“Allowing these public trust lands to be developed with a fossil fuel expansion project that would exacerbate climate change and do nothing for energy affordability in New Jersey is anathema to the public interest,” said Eastern Environmental Law Center executive director Chris Miller.

“The DEP’s decision to move forward with this permit ignores serious concerns about the project’s impacts on New Jersey’s environment and communities. The NESE pipeline threatens the health of the Raritan Bay, risks disturbing contaminated sediments, and would disproportionately burden communities that are already overexposed to pollution,” said Allison McLeod, Interim Executive Director, New Jersey LCV. “New Jersey LCV Education Fund, alongside our partners, will always work to ensure our waters, public health, and communities receive the protection they deserve.”

“NESE was denied twice because it would damage tidelands along its route and resuspend toxic metals in Raritan Bay – one of the region’s great natural resources and premier recreation fishing areas”, stated Greg Remaud, NY/NJ Baykeeper.  “Nothing has changed except for  the politics.  So, with our colleagues, we challenge the state’s approvals.”

“NESE will impact all of us in New Jersey with the contamination of our water, pollution of the air we breathe, and the tremendous disruption and harm to the Raritan Bay. New Jerseyans will only get these outcomes and no benefit! NESE must be stopped!” said Ron Waetzman, Princeton Manor Homeowners’ Association Board Member and NESE Liaison.