Roseland Files with Federal Energy Regulatory Commission in Opposition to Compressor Station Upgrades

2/2/2018

by Carolyne Volpe Curley / Carolyne@WestEssexNOW.com
Published 10:20am

ROSELAND FILES WITH FEDERAL ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION IN OPPOSITION TO COMPRESSOR STATION UPGRADES

PHOTO: Marcia Weinstein

ROSELAND, NJ - This morning, the Borough of Roseland officially filed to be an Intervenor with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), in opposition to the proposed upgrades at the Williams-Transco Compressor Station.

FERC regulates natural gas pipelines and before any pipeline can be built or upgraded, FERC requires pipeline operators to obtain a federal Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity. FERC is now required to respond to the Borough, and at the same time the Governing Body's objections have become part of the legal record.

Through it's massive 1,800 mile long pipeway, Williams-Transco delivers natural gas to utility companies and power plants located along the Atlantic Seaboard. The natural gas originates in the Gulf Coast and the pipeline transports it through Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania to deliver gas to the New Jersey and New York City area.

Roseland Compressor Station 303
Williams-Transco's Essex County station 303 is an electric motor driven natural gas compressor facility located near the highly traveled intersection of Eagle Rock Avenue and Eisenhower Parkway in Roseland.

In West Essex, the pipeline runs from:
- Roseland to
  - West Caldwell to
    - North Caldwell to
      - Cedar Grove

The following is an historical timeline of events for Station 303:

FERC Initial Application
- Dec. 2011
  Williams-Transco filed papers with FERC to create the compressor station as part of the "Northeast Supply Link Project"
New Jersey Application
- Aug. 2012
  Having received FERC approval, the company filed their proposal for their Project with the state of New Jersey
- Dec. 2012
  The company marketed their project to the public by stating that Hurricane Sandy caused a need for an increase of energy supply along the Eastern Seaboard
Roseland Compressor Station 303 Construction
- Apr. 2013
  - "Blow Down"
    Scheduled procedure of four miles of pipeline gas vented into the atmosphere
    - Roseland's Noecker School evacuated
- July 2013
  - Roseland formed an Ad Hoc committee to evaluate and address the impact of the station
    - "Given that the Williams Pipeline Compressor Station and pipeline improvements are proceeding within the Borough of Roseland, this committee is formed to insure that health, safety, economic and environmental factors do not adversely impact Roseland residents during the construction, installation and operation of the Compressor Station and Pipeline facility. "
  - An independent group called Roseland Against the Compressor Station (RACS) formed to assess its negative effects
- Aug. 2013
  - Both groups joined to meet with representatives from Williams-Transco; the following was discussed:
    - SCADA system emergency valve shut-off procedures
    - compressor shutdown mechanisms
    - safety record of Williams-Transco
    - specification for pipeline sizes needed for upgrades
    - pipeline inspection procedures
    - scheduled natural gas venting procedures
- Sept. 2013
  - Roseland Mayor John Duthie and Congressman Rodney Frelinghuysen contacted FERC in effort to ascertain if they are aware that the station is built directly next to power plant
- Oct. 2013
  - Duthie contacted Governor Chris Christie:
    - to make him aware of the borough's concerns regarding the station
    - to request a mandate that the station be operated, in person, 24 hours a day rather than remotely from Texas
- Nov. 2013
  - The Ad Hoc Committee members met via phone conference with representatives from FERC, the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. The Committee requested:
    - the correction classification for Roseland's station, based on FERC's 1,2,3,4 system (with 4 being located in a densely populated area)
    - the results of PHMSA's audit and physical inspection reports for the Roseland station
  - The compressor station became operational with 25,000 horsepower electric unit
Roseland Compression Station 303 Operations
- Jan. 2014
  - The Ad Hoc Committee met with representatives of PSEG and determined:
    - PSEG does not personally staff their Roseland facility but does monitor it 24-hours a day from their Newark headquarters
    - Because of an automatic triggering device, all power would be shut off immediately if a high-voltage wire were to fall onto the compression station
- Feb. 2014
  - The Essex County Board of Chosen Freeholders unanimously passed a resolution entitled “Expression of Concern Over Transcontinental Gas Pipeline Company Project”
    - which affirmed that “the Essex County Board of Chosen Freeholders is concerned that Compressor Station 303 in Roseland, capable of operating at 30,000 horsepower, will be utilized to increase pressure in a pipeline that is over 54 years old, passes beneath 16 towns and passes within 100 feet of some homes along its route.”
- Apr. 2014
  - Frelinghuysen contacted FERC and called for an Independent Review of possible safety concerns from the compressor station
- May 2014
  - The Roseland Governing Body passed Resolution 184-2014 and notified Christie, Frelinghuysen and Senators Robert Menendez and Cory Booker and the NJ DEP of the Resolution which declared
    - it is the mission of the body to preserve the health, safety, and welfare of Roseland citizens and the surrounding community from any potential harm that may effect people, property and environment due to the operation of the natural gas compressor station
    - that FERC, US Department of Transportation, PHMSA and US Department of Homeland Security should take immediate actions to protect the community and to provide the Borough with regular updates documenting their oversight of the matter
    - that FERC should comply with Frelinghuysen's call for an Independent Review, paid for by Williams-Transco
Roseland Compression Station 303 System Modification Work and Proposed Expansion
- April to May 2017
  - Williams-Transco performed numerous scheduled "Blow-Offs" utilizing "air movers" to provide for a safe working environment
- Oct. 2017
  - Williams-Transco announced they will seek FERC approval to expand their Roseland operation
    - The company declined the invitation but proposed a later public meeting
    - The Borough requested that the company announce their intentions at the upcoming Council Meeting
    - The Roseland Governing Body passed Resolution 285-2017 which declared their opposition to Williams-Transco filing for FERC approval without disclosing their intentions to Roseland residents
    - The Roseland station's horsepower was increased to 27,500 electric units
- Nov. 2017
  - On Nov. 15, Williams-Transco filed an application with FERC to increase the output to 55,000 horsepower electric units as part of their Gateway Expansion Project
    - The company stated that "this proposed horsepower addition will result in zero air emissions."
    - Construction of the upgraded pipeline system is expected to begin in Summer, 2019 and services to be ready by Nov. 2020
    - As in their previous applications, the company stated: “Transco currently has no plans for future expansion.”
- Dec. 2017
  - Landowners within a half mile of the Roseland station reportedly received notice from Williams-Transco of the proposed Expansion Project which detailed:
    - the company's filing of Docket CP18-18 with FERC which asks for permission to build housing for the installation of an additional electric-driven horsepower at the Roseland compressor station
    - FERC performs detailed assessments for potential impact to private property, the environment and the surrounding community

Gateway Expansion Project
According to Williams-Transco, the Northeast's need for natural gas is increasing because of its superiority as compared to other energy sources.

The Expansion Project will increase service to New Jersey and New York natural gas customers, through PSEG Power and UGI Energy Services, and is designed to provide up to 65,000 dekatherms per day of natural gas transportation service to meet the needs of about 300,000 homes.

According to the company, the Transco pipeline is at full capacity and upgrades are necessary to provide for the increased demand. The company points out that virtually all of their proposed upgrades will take place "within Transco’s existing rights of way and/or property boundaries."

An abundant, reliable supply of natural gas is critical to help reduce carbon emissions," reads the Williams-Transco website, "and provide the flexibility needed to support a growing renewables component in power generation.

Roseland Compression Station 303 Environmental Assessment
- Jan. 2018
  - FERC published a Notice of Intent to Prepare an Environmental Assessment for the Proposed Gateway Expansion Project in Essex and Passaic counties which included:
    - calling for Comments regarding the matter to help the Commission determine what issues they need to evaluate
      - focusing specifically on environmental effects
      - reasonable alternatives or measures to lessen impact
      - Deadline: Feb. 2, 2012

Being a resident whose home is in close proximity to the compressor station, " commented Roseland Mayor John Duthie, "I look forward to working with our constituents in an effort to keep Roseland a safe place to live and work.

Community Involvement
Although Williams-Transco has stated that they are "committed to minimizing environmental impacts of the entire project," residents of the Borough and the surrounding communities continue to voice dissent to the presence of the compressor station in Roseland.

According to FERC guidelines, the community has a right to express their opinion as to the proposed Gateway Expansion Project.

To do so:

Reference FERC Docket CP18-18
Provide specific reasons for your opinion
Deadline: Feb. 2, 2012

ENTER A COMMENT ONLINE HERE

Register
Respond to Email sent to you immediately
"To continue with the eComment process, please click the following link:"
Enter Docket: CP18-18 - Press SEARCH
Click the BLUE X to select the Docket
Add your comments in the box
"I am opposed" or "I support" specifically because...
Send Comment

Those who have expressed their concerns over the safety of the natural gas compressor station specifically site:

the Roseland natural gas compressor station 303 being unusually located directly adjacent to the super-high capacity PSEG station
the Roseland natural gas compressor station 303 being unusually located in a densely populated area rather than in a rural location including its immediate proximity to:
- residential housing
- highly-traveled roads
- several shopping malls
- vehicle gas stations
- dining establishments
- the Essex County Environmental Center and Essex County Golf Academy
- an ambulatory center
- protected wetlands of the Passaic River
the Roseland natural gas compressor station 303 causing:
- an increased risk of fires, explosions
- an increased risk of serious injuries from gas leaks and ruptures
concerns over the effects of the release of gas which is processed through the Roseland natural gas compressor station 303 including:
- increased noise and odor
- increased risk of medical issues including:
  - nasal, throat and eye irritation
  - nausea
  - bronchitis
  - sinus problems
  - fatigue
  - muscle aches
  - headaches
  - dizziness
  - depression and anxiety
environmental concerns that hazardous materials located near the Roseland natural gas compressor station 303 are contaminating the soil and continue to effect the foundation and structures of industrial buildings which can travel throughout the area through flooding

The Roseland Governing Body strongly encourages all interested to view the filing on FERC'S website found online here.

Enter Docket CP18-18 and press Submit

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Roseland Files with Federal Energy Regulatory Commission in Opposition to Compressor Station Upgrades

ROSELAND FILES WITH FEDERAL ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION IN OPPOSITION TO COMPRESSOR STATION UPGRADES

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