BAYONNE — After the Bayonne City Council voted at its July 18 meeting to approve the construction phase of the project, the Spectra Energy natural gas pipeline broke ground on Thursday.
Bayonne received significant incentives as a result of the agreement with the energy company, including more than $2 million in annual taxes as well as concessions on the route of the pipeline – which is expected to be completed in November, 2013.
“We knew this was going to be approved by the federal government so we got what we could from the project and we’re satisfied that the pipeline will not run through residential areas as first proposed,” said City Business Administrator Steve Gallo.
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission approved the $1.2 billion project in May, even though Jersey City still opposed it. By embracing the project, Bayonne officials said they were able to work out all of their concerns.