Hundreds of people showed up to the hearing over a compressor station that could connect to another proposed pipeline.
BORDENTOWN TOWNSHIP -- A meeting to discuss a proposed pipeline expansion project here was postponed Monday night because the organizers could not fit all the attendees in the room.
Hundreds of people -- well above the capacity limit of the hotel ballroom where the hearing was scheduled -- showed up to the meeting, called by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP).
The hearing concerned a freshwater wetlands permit for Transco's proposed Garden State Expansion compressor station which would connect to the proposed Southern Reliability Link pipeline that will run to Ocean County.
Pipeline opponents said the turnout signaled symbolized residents' concerns.
"There were just as many people outside the room as there were inside," Jeff Tittel, President of the New Jersey Sierra Club, said. "After realizing that the meeting space was only big enough for half the people who wanted to attend and testify, NJDEP representatives made the decision to reschedule the hearing for a later date."
"The residents of Chesterfield and surrounding towns have made it clear that they don't want or need this project," Tittel said. "This incident shows just how opposed the people are to this project, and the connected pipeline."
Some residents and environmental groups are worried that the construction and operation of the compressor station could potentially create water pollution and contaminate drinking water because of the use of hazardous chemicals and runoff from construction that could impact groundwater.
The township's mayor, Jill Popko, took to Facebook Monday night to congratulate residents for the high turnout.
"(Transco) picked the venue and the township appealed to the NJDEP to change it as it wouldn't hold the amount of people expected," Popko said. "They chose to have it anyway - which turned into a fiasco."
"Good job Bordentown Township -- showing (Transco) we don't want this compressor station or pipeline in any where near our community!!!" she said.
A spokesman for the NJDEP said that the location where an April meeting was held was not available and Monday's venue was chosen as an alternative location that they hoped would accommodate the number of people normally seen at such hearings.
The NJDEP is looking to reschedule the new date and location as soon as possible, the spokesman said.
Greg Wright may be reached at gwright@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @GregTheWright. Find NJ.com on Facebook.