Around 100 people turned out for the first in-state hearing over the pipeline in Clinton Township on Aug. 16, 2016.
CLINTON TWP. - "Don't be frackin' crazy."
That was the phrase on several protest signs in front of the hotel where the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission took testimony over the draft environmental statement for the proposed PennEast pipeline.
Around 100 people -- both for and against the project -- turned out for the first in-state hearing over the pipeline on Tuesday.
About an hour before the event kicked off, protesters, homeowners and environmentalists gathered out front where they took turns speaking about their concerns.
Eminent domain, climate change due to methane emissions, and destruction of wilderness habitats topped their long list of worries.
Laborers and union representatives were on hand to make comments over the economic and safety benefits of pipeline infrastructure, saying that the project would decrease gas bills and make transporting natural gas though the nation's most densely populated state safer than if it were transported by truck or train.
Opponents were displeased that FERC set up stenographers to take individual comments rather than the traditional method of having people stand and voice concerns in front of each other.
Critics said the stenographer method disallowed people to hear the concerns of neighbors and the feedback from industry professionals and regulators. They also worried the procedure would dampen turnout.
In protest they set up their own room down the hall where concerned residents could come speak aloud.
A FERC representative said the stenographer method was implemented to ensure that the event didn't run too long and that everyone would get to comment. The replies to the comments will be posted on the public docket where members of the public may read all the concerns and replies, the representative said.
FERC will hold the second and last New Jersey public meeting Wednesday from 6-10 p.m. at Patriots Theater at the War Memorial in the George Washington Ballroom located at 1 Memorial Drive in Trenton.
Greg Wright may be reached at gwright@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @GregTheWright. Find NJ.com on Facebook.