Trenton — State and local public interest groups urged the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities to deny PSE&G’s request to build a mega-power line across Northern New Jersey. Today, the company officially filed its request with the NJBPU for approval of the Susquehanna – Roseland power line expansion, which will pipe mainly coal-generated electricity into New Jersey and New York.
“The line hitches New Jersey’s energy future to dirty coal plants in Pennsylvania. This is a major diversion from the path to a clean energy future, a path New Jersey has committed to following. We urge the NJBPU to stay the course and deny PSE&G’s request to build this line,” said Dena Mottola Jaborska, Executive Director of Environment New Jersey.
PSE&G contends the power line expansion is needed to shore up electricity reliability in the state. But the line’s potential electrical capacity can easily be met with green measures outlined in the state’s Energy Master Plan (EMP). The state’s EMP finalized by Governor Corzine in October would reduce electricity demand by 20% by 2020, and deliver as much if not more in-state electric generation than the line would pipe in, an estimated 6000 MW of new electric generating capacity from clean, renewable sources including 3000 MW of off-shore wind, 200 MW of on-shore wind, 2,100 MW of solar, and 900 MW of biomass.
“PSE&G is trying to go behind the backs of the communities affected by this power line”, said Jeff Tittel, Director of the New Jersey Sierra Club. He continued, “We urge the BPU to stand for clean energy and energy efficiency and to reject this dirty deal for dirty power.”
“It seems clear that the only reason this line is needed is to increase PSE&G's profits. This line would be in direct conflict with NJ Energy Masterplan,” said David Slaperud, Spokesperson for Stop the Lines, an organization formed by residents in towns affected.
"PSE&G's proposal flies in the face of the sound environmental planning mandated by the Highlands Act. For example, no storm water plans have been designed. No mitigation or alternatives have been presented to avoid or minimize impacts to water supply areas, critical wildlife, wetlands, steep slopes and a multitude of other critical environmental areas that will be impacted by new access roads, many through existing open space and parkland, and a new switching station in Jefferson the size of a Walmart," explained Mark Zakutansky, Campaign and Grassroots Coordinator for the New Jersey Highlands Coalition.
"PSE&G's choice to bypass local approvals by filing an application with the BPU is a slap in the face of all land use boards and elected officials in the affected towns," stated Byram Councilman Scott Olson. "This decision will rob municipalities and their residents of full participation in the decision making process."
