JERSEY CITY AND BAYONNE – Mayor Jerramiah Healy announced Wednesday afternoon that he will file, on behalf of Jersey City, for intervenor status within the next 10 days. Filing for intervenor status will give the mayor legal standing if a lawsuit is filed to stop the natural gas pipeline that Spectra Energy has proposed to run through Bayonne and Jersey City.
Healy and Mayor Mark Smith of Bayonne are both opposed to the pipeline, which would run from Staten Island to Manhattan through residential areas in both cities. A number of residents started an opposition group to the pipeline, NoGasPipeline.org.
Healy issued a statement about filing for intervenor status in the aftermath of the recent gas pipeline explosion in San Bruno, California that left four dead and caused millions of dollars in damage.
“We believe that the terrible incident that occurred in San Bruno should be the death knell for the proposed pipeline in Jersey City,” said Healy in his statement.
Healy’s announcement will be followed by an interview 11 p.m. Wednesday night on Channel 4 News.
Members of the public commended Healy on his decision, including downtown Jersey City resident Dale Hardman, one of the founders of the NoGasPipeline.org, who came to the council meeting to encourage city officials to file for intervenor status. – RK