HUDSON COUNTY – The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) Friday announced four public hearings that will take place next month on the proposed natural gas pipeline that Spectra Energy wants to build through parts of Hudson County into New York.
If approved by FERC, the proposed pipeline would include the construction and operation of 19.8 miles of new and replacement 42- and 30-inch-diameter pipeline, six new metering and regulating stations, and other related facility abandonments and modifications in Linden, Jersey City near the Hoboken border, and Bayonne. The pipeline would then cross the Hudson River into New York to connect the company’s existing pipeline infrastructure in
the region to Manhattan and Staten Island.
Before FERC can render a decision on the project it is required to hold public hearings, the schedule for which was announced Friday.
Two of the four public hearings will take place in Hudson County, while the remaining two public hearings will take place in New York.
One hearing has been scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 18 at 7 p.m. at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Bayonne, at 669 Avenue C. The next evening, on
Wednesday, Oct. 19 at 7 p.m. there will be another public hearing in Jersey City at Ferris High School, at 35 Colgate St.
Public hearings will be held on Mon., Oct. 17 on Staten Island and Thursday, Oct. 20 in Manhattan. Those meetings will also be held at 7 p.m.
FERC recently released its draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the proposed pipeline project and is now seeking public comments.
FERC officially refers to the pipeline project as the New Jersey – New York Expansion Project proposed by Texas Eastern Transmission, LP and Algonquin
Gas Transmission, LLC (Docket No. CP11-56-000).
To read the full draft Environmental Impact Statement, visit
http://www.ferc.gov/industries/gas/enviro/eis/2011/09-09-11-eis.asp.
Written comments are due by October 31, 2011. – E. Assata Wright