06/08/2010 // West Palm Beach, FL, USA // Tara Monks // Tara Monks
Trenton, NJ –Four New Jersey environmental groups sued the Board of Public Utilities in attempts to reverse the agency’s approval of the proposed Susquehanna-Roseland power project, as reported by NJ.com. The agencies are trying to stop a 500,000-volt transmission line that will travel along a 146 mile route between Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
Environment New Jersey, the New Jersey Environmental Federation, the New Jersey Highlands Coalition and the New Jersey Chapter of the Sierra Club issued the appeal, stating that the BPU went no further than taking the word of PSE&G and its partner, PPL Electric Utilities of Pennsylvania, that the project was needed.
The lawsuit claims that BPU did not explore or consider any of the environmental and secondary impacts the project will inflict. The suit states that people and the natural habitat will be affected.
A spokesman for the Sierra Club explained the efforts of the groups, stating, “We are asking the courts to do the job that the BPU failed to do…We don’t believe they made a proper alternative analysis…or that they justified that there is a need.” The spokesman, Jeff Tittel, explained the power lines are being used to transport energy to New York.
PSE&G defended its actions, claiming that one of the main reasons for the project is to prevent service disruptions. The company argues that dozens of disruptions may occur if the power lines are not in place by 2012.
PSE&G further stated that it faces fines of up to $1 million a day when disruptions occur. The fines are imposed under federal energy regulations.
The project was unanimously approved on February 11, 2010, after it was approved by the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission.
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