Opponents are demanding a stop to the proposed expansion of a natural gas facility in Branchburg, Somerset County. The project would expand an existing compression station to increase capacity in the Transco gas pipeline. Opponents, including Branchburg residents, told a Department of Environmental Protection hearing Thursday the expansion is not only not necessary but is a health hazard to nearby residents, and they’re calling on Gov. Phil Murphy to put a stop to it.
“This original compressor spews air and noise pollution into Somerset County’s atmosphere, with harmful byproducts, including carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, formaldehyde,” said Melonie Marano, deputy director of the Somerset County Board of Commissioners.
Branchburg resident Teresa Callahan said, “I have no expectations that Williams Transco, or for that matter, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, care about the health and safety of our community. However, I do expect NJ DEP and Governor Murphy to act in the public interest.”
In support of the expansion, Michael Stiles, business manager of Pipefitters Local 274, said, “Williams will also be using state-of-the-art compressors powered by electricity for part of the projects. These will be ultra-quiet, and have almost zero emissions on the project.”
