JERSEY CITY AND BAYONNE — As Spectra Energy applies to the federal government for approval to run a natural gas pipeline through Staten Island, Bayonne and Jersey City to customers in New York City, the Jersey City Council is poised to hire a Boston firm to lobby federal officials and coordinate opposition to the project, according to a report in NJ.com.
A resolution to hire O’Neill and Associates for $32,500 is reportedly on the council’s agenda for its meeting Wednesday night.
Last Thursday two city residents opposing the pipeline, which would deliver 800 million cubic feet of gas per day to New York, launched a website, www.nogaspipeline.org, to disseminate information about the project and provide a focus for the fight against it.
Deputy Mayor Rosemary McFadden reportedly told the council at their Monday caucus that the next six months will be critical because the final route for the pipeline will be determined before the end of the year.
Mayor Jerramiah Healy, in supporting the O’Neill hire, said the city needs help from a firm with experience dealing with federal agencies on the project. The firm’s contract would reportedly require them to issue regular reports to the city on their efforts.