The forum will discuss the impact of the proposed natural gas projects in the region
BORDENTOWN TOWNSHIP -- Local officials and environmental groups concerned with the impact of the proposed natural gas projects in the region are holding a forum to discuss the issues and spread awareness.
The Jan. 20 forum is being hosted by Bordentown Township and advocacy group Food and Water Watch.
The proposed $130 million New Jersey Natural Gas pipeline has become a cause of concern for residents and elected officials in several Burlington, Monmouth and Ocean County towns.
The 28-mile, 30-inch Southern Reliability Link would begin in Chesterfield and continue through North Hanover, Upper Freehold, Plumsted and Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst before connecting to the utility's system in Manchester.
Williams Co., which owns and operates the Transco pipeline, is also awaiting approval to build a compressor station that would take gas from its Trenton Woodbury line and send it into the NJNG pipeline.
"A lot of people don't know that this project is planned or they don't understand or they don't know of the implications of a project like this," Bordentown Township Mayor Jill Popko said.
She also put out a call to county freeholders, state senators, Assemblymembers, U.S. Sens. Cory Booker and Robert Melendez and U.S. Reps. Chris Smith and Tom MacArthur in the hopes that they would be able to talk to and hear their constituents' concerns.
"If they're not going to come out and take the time to hear what they have to say and hear their concerns, I think that speaks volumes," Popko said of the legislators. "I know that our Congressional and Senate representatives hear plenty from their lobbyists, but maybe it's time to hear from their constituents."
She said the compressor station is most concerning to township residents since it would sit on the Bordentown-Chesterfield border.
"The expanse of that project and the environmental degradation that it would bring to our area is phenomenal," she said. "If there is a blowdown and if there is, worst-case scenario, a leak or an explosion, we have schools, churches and homes in that area that would be directly affected."
Williams also wants a permanent easement from Bordentown Township, but facing opposition, may have to take over the property through eminent domain.
"We want no part of their project," Popko said. "We do not support their project and we don't want them on our public property at all. They're not welcome."
The forum will include speakers from Food and Water Watch, Responsible-Pipeline and the Sierra Club and residents who created a Google Group to voice their concerns.
The forum is at 7 p.m. in the Bordentown Township Community Center, 3 Municipal Drive. Light refreshments will be served.
Cristina Rojas may be reached at crojas@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @CristinaRojasTT. Find The Times of Trenton on Facebook.