Community activists and environmentalists have spent years rallying against plans to build a fourth natural gas-powered plant in Newark’s Ironbound neighborhood. Now, first lady and Democratic Senate candidate Tammy Murphy is joining them.
The Passaic Valley Sewerage Commission has proposed building a natural gas-powered plant at its treatment plant on Wilson Avenue, as part of efforts to keep the facility running in the event of a regional power outage. The plant was knocked offline for weeks following Superstorm Sandy, leading to raw sewage flooding into Newark Bay.
The Ironbound community is already considered overburdened by pollution and residents there have fiercely fought against the PVSC plan. They argue it will further harm public health and create more of the greenhouse gases that are driving global warming.
The PVSC declined to comment on Murphy’s opposition to their plan, but a spokesman for the agency said it will continue to evaluate alternative plans.
Gov. Phil Murphy’s office did not respond to a request for comment.
Previously, Newark City Council unanimously passed a resolution against the proposal. Gov. Murphy’s administration is still conducting an environmental review of the plan, and it is unclear when that review will be completed; the review must be done before any decision can be made on allowing the plan to proceed.
