There is a new political maneuver afoot. From the place that brought you Richland Village, comes a new League of Municipalities initiative to have municipalities vote in support of the gas pipeline after it was defeated at the Pinelands Commission.
It is interesting to note that the Pinelands environmental and land-use board’s vote against the lifting of the pipeline ban, saying the move would open up the door to other utility-line exceptions.
Fallout to continue from pipeline rejection
On behalf of South Jersey Gas, the BPU had sought a special agreement to lift a three-decade ban on new gas- and oil-transmission pipelines in the Pinelands forest areas. But half the of the 14 members of the Pinelands environmental and land-use board who met in Pemberton Township Friday decided against that move, worried it would open them to similar demands from other utility companies.
The environmental and land-use board has a good point. BTW, there is an effort to initiate a “Pinelands Highway” designation that would allow utilities (e.g., sewer lines) into the villages.
S-M