FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: DAVID CRUZ 201.455.400 Occhipinti resolution would make Hoboken ‘intervenor’ in gas pipeline fight
Hoboken411.com
Fulfilling a campaign promise, 4th Ward Councilman Tim Occhipinti will present a resolution at Wednesday’s council meeting calling on the city of Hoboken to file for intervenor status against the gas pipeline being proposed by Spectra Energy, a Texasbased utility company. Intervenor status allows the city to file suit if the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) approves the proposed pipeline expansion. “We brought this issue to light during the campaign and said we would do everything we could to stop this dangerous project from going forward,” said Occhipinti, who hosted a public meeting on the issue in October. “This resolution would make it clear that Hoboken is united against the pipeline and will fight it every step of the way.” The proposed pipeline would run highly pressurized natural gas through densely populated neighborhoods in Bayonne, Jersey City and along the Jersey City/Hoboken border. At the public meeting in October, representatives of the group NoGasPipeline.org, showed maps of the pipeline route, which showed Hoboken in the middle of a “blast zone” that threatened the safety of thousands of residents and put millions of dollars of property, including vital transportation and public safety infrastructure, at risk. “Hundreds of Hudson County residents have been lining up to oppose this project and we need to show them that we are ready to do our part to support them,” said Occhipinti, who is being joined by 1st Ward Councilwoman Terry Castellano in presenting the resolution. In September, four people were killed and hundreds of homes were destroyed when a similar gas pipeline in San Bruno, California, exploded. “This dangerous pipeline runs through our county but none of the energy will benefit our residents,” said Castellano, noting that the natural gas would go to Con Edison customers in New York. ### Printed in House
Paid for by Occhipinti for Council Anthony Poulin, Treasurer