Proposed Hewitt compressor station concerns to be addressed Monday

With strong vocal community opposition continuing and still no official local government stand taken against establishing Computer Station 327 in Hewitt, the Tennessee Gas Pipeline Company will have an informational session on Zoom on Monday, March 22, at 7 p.m.

For information on joining the meeting, the meeting ID , passcode and other instruction check the news item on the Township of West Milford website: westmilford.org.

The proposal to construct a new electric-driven compressor station in Hewitt is part of the company’s East 300 Upgrade Project. Plans are to locate the new compressor station along Tennessee’s existing pipeline at 960 Burnt Meadow Road in the Hewitt section of West Milford.

“We wish to invite you to an informational session for the neighbors of the new compressor station to provide additional information about the compressor station and address some of the recent concerns expressed by the local community,” the company said in a letter addressed to “Dear neighbor.”

“Tennessee strives to be a good neighbor as it provides a safe, clean and reliable source of energy to the nation’s consumers and industry,” the letter said. “Since the 1950s we have been safely operating and maintaining our pipeline facilities in the township and the state. We hope that your schedule will allow you to attend the informational session. We look forward to visiting with you on March 22.”

The Township of West Milford Council did not take action on Resolution 2021-099 opposing construction of compression turbines on the Tennessee Gas Pipeline running through New Jersey when it was on the agenda on March 3 council meeting agenda.

The council meets again on Wednesday, March 24 and opponents of the pipeline are hoping there will be council action to pass the resolution then.

The resolution states the projects will significantly increase the amount and pressure of gas transported through the pipeline from Pennsylvania to New Jersey to Westchester County in New York. It notes that much of the pipeline is 65 years old and beyond its useful life.

The resolution said the section runs near homes and critical infrastructures in dozens of New Jersey communities and increases the risk of leaks and catastrophic action which can result in property destruction and deaths when they occur.

The proposed ordinance “in the interest of residents and businesses opposes construction of fracked gas companies 325 and the TGP attempt to exclude its activities from the Highlands Act.”