New Jersey DEP Approves NESE Pipeline Water Quality Certification

TRENTON, NJ – The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has issued its water quality certification and related permits for the proposed Northeast Supply Enhancement (NESE) pipeline. Earlier in the day, New York State issued its final certification on the controversial pipeline project. Like New York, New Jersey had previously denied water quality certification for the same pipeline in 2019 and 2020 for its non-compliance with state water quality standards.

The following is a reaction from Mark Izeman, senior attorney, Environmental Health, at NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council):

“New Jersey has completely disregarded its past two sound decisions to reject this pipeline over threats to the state’s water quality. This pipeline threatens not only wetlands across New Jersey but also would tear up the seafloor of Raritan and Sandy Hook bays. If built, the pipeline would destroy marine habitats; and dredge up mercury, copper, PCBs, and other toxins. The pipeline would harm sensitive shellfish beds and fishing areas, and undercut billions of dollars New Jersey and New York have invested to improve water quality in the harbor.”

NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council) is an international nonprofit environmental organization with more than 3 million members and online activists. Established in 1970, NRDC uses science, policy, law, and people power to confront the climate crisis, protect public health, and safeguard nature. NRDC has offices in New York City, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Bozeman, MT, Beijing and Delhi (an office of NRDC India Pvt. Ltd). Visit us at www.nrdc.org and follow us on Twitter @NRDC.