Resident urges comment against proposed Raritan Bay pipeline and calls for city support of Climate Superfund Act

A New Brunswick resident and organizer for Food & Water Watch used the commission's public‑comment period on Sept. 20 to urge action on two environmental items: an underwater pipeline proposal and a state bill called the Climate Superfund Act.

Who spoke and what they asked

Charlie, a New Brunswick resident and central Jersey organizer for Food & Water Watch, described the Williams Companies' proposal for an underwater natural‑gas pipeline under Raritan Bay and associated compressor‑station work in Franklin Township. He said opponents previously defeated the project twice and urged residents to submit comments to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection during an active public comment period.

"The Williams Companies wants to build a huge underwater pipeline under the Raritan Bay, and it involves a new, gas fired compressor station in Franklin Township," Charlie said. He noted a public hearing had lasted four hours and that most speakers were opposed.

Charlie also asked the commission to press the City Council to pass a local resolution supporting the Climate Superfund Act, a state measure intended to accelerate cleanup of contaminated sites. He reported that more than 50 New Jersey municipalities had passed supportive resolutions but that New Brunswick had not. "I wanted to bring that to your attention," he said, asking commissioners to encourage council action.

Commission response

The chair thanked Charlie and invited the commission and staff to share the material and suggested local media (NewBrunswickToday) could help publicize deadlines and hearings. Commission members expressed support for sharing comment instructions and materials with the public.

Ending

The commission asked staff to circulate Charlie's materials and to consider outreach options to encourage public comment before the DEP deadline.