The New Jersey Sierra Club is holding a "Walk for Water" protest against the proposed PennEast pipeline in Sunday, March 20, 2016. Watch video
A "Walk for Water" protest against the proposed PennEast pipeline will be held 10 a.m. Sunday at Bulls Island State Park in Stockton, the New Jersey Sierra Club announced Friday.
The walk is being held on World Water Day.
"The Delaware River is on the front lines in the battle between dirty fuels and clean water," said Jeff Tittel, director of the New Jersey Sierra Club. "This pipeline would not only cut an ugly scar through our communities, but cross 88 waterways including the Delaware River and Delaware and Raritan Canal.
Study: PennEast pipeline unnecessary
"This walk will bring awareness to residents in the Delaware River Valley that we need to work together in the campaign to stop the PennEast pipeline. We must continue to defend our drinking water and environmentally sensitive spaces, while transitioning New Jersey to a renewable energy future."
PennEast is a consortium of natural gas companies, including all four New Jersey gas providers, that wants to build an 114-mile, 36-inch pipeline stretching from Northeastern Pennsylvania to Hopewell Township.
The company in September filed its formal application to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, which regulates pipelines that cross state lines. PennEast has said the company expects to start construction, if approved, in 2017.
It was previously reported that a study funded by the New Jersey Conservation Foundation released this month looking at the underlying arguments in favor of building the proposed $1.2 billion natural gas pipeline concluded there was no demand for the natural gas it would deliver and that it could increase customers' gas bills, contradicting PennEast's justification for building the structure.
"With approximately 90 percent of the capacity on the PennEast Pipeline subscribed under long-term contracts by local utilities and power generators, the market demand is clear,'' Pat Kornick, spokeswoman for PennEast, previously said in response to the claims. "The ongoing antics by those opposing natural gas development to advance their agendas does not change that fact."
Participants in the walk are asked to arrive early, since parking may be limited and bring water and lunch. Hiking boots are not required but may be easier to walk in if path is slick. The walk is being held even if there is snow.
