Home » Mercer County Executive Hughes Opposes Penneast Pipeline

Mercer County Executive Hughes Opposes Penneast Pipeline

by Mary Galioto

In response to Penneast’s request that Mercer County survey county park land for Penneast’s preparation of the project pipeline path, Mercer County Executive Brian M. Hughes voiced strong opposition to the proposed.

Preliminary maps show the underground gas-line would bisect County parkland, preserved open space, farmland, woodlands and wetlands throughout Mercer Meadows, including the Rosedale Lake, Equestrian Center, Ecological, and Farm districts.

“We have looked at the proposed route of the project and we are adamant that this pipeline will harm public land in which we and all Mercer County taxpayers have invested,” said County Executive Hughes. “We have been told by PennEast that in order for them to fully evaluate the feasibility of this project, they must have access to county-owned property to perform a land survey. I have made it crystal clear to PennEast representatives that it is with great reluctance that we must grant access to public land, and that permission in no way constitutes an endorsement of the pipeline. We are prepared to fight on the behalf of our county interests and to fight for the open space we’ve purchased. The survey will be permitted only so that Mercer County can fully understand the impact of this proposal and assist our neighbors in understanding the magnitude of this project.”

Mr. Hughes added that he intends to conduct further discussion with the Mercer County Board of Chosen Freeholders and will present a formal resolution declaring the Hughes Administration’s opposition to the natural gas pipeline as proposed.

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