26-15 Resolution Opposing Pilgrim Pipeline.pdf

26-15 January 6, 2015 RESOLUTION WHEREAS, Pilgrim Pipeline LLC (“Pilgrim”) is proposing to build a new bidirectional pipeline through the Township of West Orange (the “Township”) that would transport crude oil and refined petroleum products between Albany, New York and Linden, New Jersey (the “Pilgrim Pipeline Project”); and WHEREAS, the pipeline will carry oil extracted from North Dakota’s Bakken shale through the process of hydraulic fracturing or fracking, an extreme method of oil and gas extraction that depletes and despoils clean water resources, creates toxic air emissions and radioactive waste, and contributes to the climate change crisis by releasing large quantities of methane gas into the atmosphere; and WHEREAS, the Pilgrim Pipeline Project raises significant safety concerns for the Township, as well as potential harm to municipal and county infrastructure, and may therefore have a negative impact upon future development in the community; and WHEREAS, the Township Council of the Township of West Orange (the “Township Council”) is concerned about the hazard the project may create due to the nature and volume of the highly flammable oil flowing through the pipeline, and its proposed route, which crosses through residential neighborhoods. These communities will be in the “impact radius” should an explosion and/or spill occur; and WHEREAS, according to Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility, the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Administration (“PHMSA”) only has 135 inspectors to oversee 2.6 million miles of pipeline, and only a fifth of that pipeline system has been inspected by PHMSA or its state partners since 2006; and WHEREAS, the New Jersey Legislature recognized the significance of the New Jersey Highlands region and afforded special protection to the region and its resources in 2004 with the passage of the New Jersey Highlands Water Protection and Planning Act (the “Act”). The Act created the Highlands Water Protection and Planning Council and the Highlands Regional Master Plan to ensure planning would be used in the Highlands to combat sprawl and the

depletion of water quality and quantity as the region provides drinking water to 5.4 million state residents; and WHEREAS, the federal government acknowledged the exceptional value of the highlands resources and the urgent need for their preservation in 2004 when Congress passed the Highlands Conservation Act, which recognizes the importance of the water, forest, agricultural, wildlife, recreational and cultural resources of the Highlands region, and national significance of the Highlands region to the United States and; WHEREAS, many Township residents depend on ground water and public community water systems for water supply and septic systems for waste disposal and this project will impact ground water quality and quantity and the septic fields of residents along and adjacent to the right of way; and WHEREAS, the wise stewardship of our natural resources involves protection of the Township’s water supplies, water and other natural resources for generations to come; and WHEREAS, protection of the Township’s water supplies and resources is better accomplished by prevention of contamination and environmental degradation, rather than attempting to clean up contamination and restoring degraded environments after the fact. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Township Council of the Township of West Orange, in the County of Essex, that the Township Council opposes the Pilgrim Pipeline Project, and calls for a moratorium on any and all planning, proposal, surveying or construction of the Pilgrim Pipeline Project; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this Resolution shall be published and made available in the Clerk’s Office for reasonable inspection in accordance with applicable law. A copy of this Resolution shall be sent to all neighboring municipalities, the County of Essex, Governor Chris Christie, State Senator Richard J. Codey, Assemblyman John McKeon and Assemblywoman Mila Jasey. Karen J. Carnevale Jerry Guarino Municipal Clerk Council President Adopted: January 6, 2015

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