Friends,
As we transition into spring, here are a few highlights of the projects currently on our docket.
Environmental Justice
In an exciting win, a New Jersey appeals court upheld New Jersey’s landmark Environmental Justice Rules. EELC Environmental Justice Staff Attorney Maggie Broughton argued the cause for amicus curiae New Jersey Progressive Equitable Energy Coalition. The court’s ruling affirms key aspects of the Rules, including that claimed economic benefits are not an acceptable justification for allowing new sources of pollution in an overburdened community.
Clean Energy
We are continuing to challenge the Northeast Supply Enhancement Project (NESE) project – a dirty, unneeded gas pipeline expansion project which would threaten public health, harm sensitive wetlands, pollute our water and contribute to climate change. EELC has filed a federal court lawsuit challenging New Jersey’s issuance of key water quality approvals for NESE, and another federal court lawsuit against the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) for reissuing an expired certificate of public convenience and necessity for the pipeline, despite lacking information required under FERC’s own guidelines and regulations.
“We’re challenging this approval because the state should uphold the law and protect water quality in New Jersey, not bend it for a project that will dredge up contamination and harm wildlife in Raritan Bay, and damage wetlands throughout the state” – Christopher Miller, EELC Executive Director
Open Space & Sustainable Development
On behalf of NJ Conservation Foundation and We Care NJ, EELC is appealing stormwater and flood hazard approvals issued by NJDEP for a massive development on a forested ridge of the Watchung Mountains. Due to inadequate soil testing and stormwater management, the development could exacerbate flooding and contaminate water supplies.