Is natural gas pipeline through Pinelands inevitable?

BL England Power Plant
B.L. England coal-powered power plant 
In a matter of minutes, a state agency approved a proposal to build a controversial 22-mile natural-gas pipeline through the core of the Pinelands Forest, Tom Johnson reports today in NJ Spotlight.

For the second time in two years, the Board of Public Utilities endorsed the pipeline project proposed by South Jersey Gas, which would convert the B. L. England power plant from being coal-fired to using natural gas.

 The project, yet to be approved by the Pinelands Commission, is opposed by virtually all of the state’s conservation groups, as well as four former governors –Republicans Thomas Kean and Christine Whitman and Democrats Brendan Byrne and Jim Florio.

The five commissioners unanimously approved without debate a slightly modified version of the project originally given the nod by the BPU in April 2013. It is uncertain when the Pinelands Commission, which deadlocked on approving the project in January 2014, will consider the proposal.

Since then, Gov. Chris Christie replaced one of the commissioners who had voted against the pipeline. The project aligns with the administration’s Energy Master Plan, which calls for the state to phase out the use of coal to generate electricity and replace it with less-polluting natural gas.



You’re not surprised by the BPU vote are you? Is Pinelands Commission approval equally predictable? Tell us what you think in the comment box below


Related news: 
BPU approves amended order for pipeline through Pinelands
Pinelands supporters outraged by vote to replace Commission member who voted against pipeline

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New Jersey county boots pipeline company from its land

Representatives of the PennEast pipeline project are no longer welcome on Mercer County public lands, according to a strongly worded letter from Mercer County Executive Brian Hughes.

Keith Brown reports for NJ.com:

The letter, obtained by NJ.com, was sent to PennEast Tuesday afternoon. It rescinds permission to survey on county lands officials granted in December and bars the company from any activity on county owned lands to forward the proposed $1.2 billion natural gas pipeline project, which is slated to cut through portions of Mercer County along its 110-mile path.
“PennEast is directed to immediately CEASE AND DESIST all activities on County property,” the letter reads. “Please have your company’s contractor(s) immediately remove all equipment and personnel from the County’s property, after returning the property to the condition it enjoyed prior to any work being conducted.”
Hughes said in a statement that the decision to kick PennEast off Mercer County public lands came after county officials discovered that the company was conducting soil borings in Baldpate Mountain, Hopewell Township, an act officials said was potentially environmentally harmful.

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PA's pipeline taskforce begins meetings tomorrow






 
 
Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Secretary John Quigley will chair the first meeting of the newly formed Pipeline Infrastructure Taskforce from 1 p.m.  to 4 p.m., tomorrow, Wednesday, July 22, at DEP’s South-Central Regional Office, 909 Elmerton Ave. in Harrisburg.

The group of 48 experts and stakeholders will recommend policies, guidelines and best practices to guide the anticipated and unprecedented build-out of pipeline infrastructure expected to take place across Pennsylvania during the next decade. The group’s report is due to Governor Tom Wolf by February 2016.

The DEP advises that seating and parking will be very limited and encourages the public to view the proceedings via its live stream online broadcast 

Meeting information:

Also see:  Pa. Gov. Wolf names members of pipeline taskforce

 

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Great news for tech startups and the City of Newark, NJ















































Dan Ivers reports for NJ.com that:
Politicians and
business magnates alike crowded into the downtown Newark office of Audible.com Monday
morning to officially announce the launch of a venture fund aiming to carve out
a brand-new
identity for Newark – tech mecca.

Newark Venture Partners is aiming to raise $50 million to invest in a select group of start-up tech companies, all of which will be housed in a so-called “accelerator” that will help them develop ideas and grow with the help of various guiding hands.|

Officials and partners in the initiative said it is all part of a wide-ranging effort to transform Newark from a city struggling to recover from its industrial past to one embracing the tech-based economy of the future.


“I have a feeling that literally, when you put the stake in the ground, that all kinds of things will happen,” said Donald Katz, Audible’s CEO and Newark Venture Fund chairman.

As many 1,000 fledgling companies are expected to make their pitch to join the accelerator each year, all hoping to join a select group of less than 50 that will land initial investments of between $50,000 and $100,000.



The chosen start-ups will work out of a space downstairs from Audible’s headquarters at One Washington Park, in a 25,000 square-foot space provided rent-free by Rutgers Business School. During their stay, they will receive mentoring from staff with Audible and other experienced business minds involved with the fund.

“Unlike the traditional venture capital, in our model…all of our companies that we invest in, we’re going to bring them here,” said Thomas Wisniewski, a veteran New York City angel investor who will help lead the fund.

The accelerator itself will  be equipped with a fiber-optic infrastructure that will provide the businesses with up to 10 gigabits of online data, officials said.


Mayor Ras Baraka said the service would be crucial to not only developing the companies in their infancy, but retaining them once they have outgrown the accelerator and are looking for a permanent home.


The case would likely be strengthened by Newark’s various public transportation options, proximity to New York, tens of thousands of college students and abundance of available commercial space. The city could also consider tax incentives or other measures to help hold onto growing outfits.


Baraka added that each new engineering or other tech-related job is usually accompanied by up to five other service-based or entry-level positions needed to sustain new companies, all of which will help provide the city with much-needed jobs.


“It has a multiplier effect for the city, to help us push forward and get more Newarkers employed,” he said.

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New Jersey considering a lemon law for farm tractors

Attention farmers: Does your John Deere run like a turtle, your New Holland mimic the Old World or is your Case definitely losing? Hang on, the New Jersey Legislature is riding to your rescue.


On Thursday, July 23, the state Senate has scheduled floor votes on two bills–A-1812 (Wilson) and S-2717 (Cruz-Perez)–that would extend protections of the state’s new vehicle “lemon law” to new farm tractors
purchased or leased in New Jersey.  
      
Under the “lemon law” for new automobiles and motorcycles, if a manufacturer or its dealer is unable to repair a defect within a reasonable period of time, the manufacturer is required to refund the full purchase price and other charges and fees specified in the law, less an allowance for the buyer’s or lessee’s use of the returned vehicle.


If legislation passes, it also must be signed by Governor Chris Christie. Think the 2016 GOP presidential primary in farm-rich Iowa might factor into his decision? We’ll see.





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Changing electronic waste recycling debated in New Jersey

Private recycling companies and municipal and county recycling program officials are asking legislators to make changes to a state law that directs how worn out television sets and computers are collected and recycled.


Manufactures of the electronic products, who bear the financial responsibility for the New Jersey’s mandatory recycling program, argue that it is working adequately and should be allowed to mature to meet evolving market conditions.


Both sides will make their cases today at noon before the Senate Environment and Energy Committee which will meet in Committee Room 10, Third Floor, State House Annex in Trenton.
The testimony will focus on Senate Bill S-2973.

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