Residents urge Franklin Township to press legal options after state permits for Williams Transco compressor station

Residents of Franklin Township used the public-comment period at the councils Jan. 13 meeting to press elected officials for help after state regulators approved permits for Williams Transcos so-called "Nessie" compressor-station and pipeline project.

Carol Keane, who identified herself as a member of the Franklin Township Task Force opposing the project, told the council she and local groups have fought the proposal for nearly a decade and asked township staff to identify local ordinances or zoning restrictions that might slow or stop construction. "We are asking the township for any help you can give us in identifying any local ordinances, zoning laws, restrictions that could impact the rate of construction or the construction itself of the compressor station," Keane said.

Linda Powell said she learned that state regulators approved an air permit and water-quality permits for the project that day, and she called the actions "fast-tracked." Powell cited published reporting about federal regulatory changes for particulate matter (PM2.5) and ozone and said the project will impose environmental and public-health harms on New Jersey communities. "The compressor station in Franklin is slated to begin construction later this year," she said, and asked the council to make sure "this construction in our community complies with all local and county regulations and ordinances."

Robert Scott said he was "disappointed" by the permit approvals and urged the council to monitor the project closely to protect residentshealth and safety.

In response, council members said the township will continue to assess legal options and that an appeal by opponents is plausible. Speakers stressed the limits of local authority over state and federal permits: "When we talk about the conflict between federal law and state law there is a primacy to the federal law in these circumstances," one council member said, adding that rezoning alone may not be a "magic bullet" to stop construction. Council members also noted the township owns certain development rights on nearby properties and that the municipality will continue to press those rights where possible.

The council did not take a formal vote on a policy or ordinance at the meeting; officials said they will continue to research legal avenues and monitor appeals and litigation that may follow the state permit decisions.