TRENTON – A bill, S1846, to address a problem involving placement of natural gas pressure regulators in downtown business districts was held today from the Senate Economic Growth Committee for amendments.
Bill sponsor Sen. Jennifer Beck, (R-11), Red Bank, drew attention to this problem in March. In Red Bank, she said, N.J. Natural Gas wants to relocate below-ground regulators above-ground.
Not only are there aesthetic reasons to oppose this, she said, there are safety issues as well.
However, she held the bill to amend it in two ways.
To address any concerns of federal/local conflicts, Beck said, the bill will be amended so that in non-emergencies the utility will have a public hearing to seek local support although local approval would not be mandatory.
And regarding emergencies, the bill would be amended to make it clear the utility could go ahead and correct any problems.
Beck said the bill will be reposted for the next committee hearing.
The main thrust of her bill would be to have the Board of Public Utilities require companies to conduct an analysis of the feasibility of alternative locations and have all pertinent data available to the public before any regulators are relocated.
Beck and Red Bank officials said that among other things, the utility has been uncooperative in sharing inspection reports or other data that led it to determine it had to move the 88 regulators above ground.
Previous coverage:
Beck, Red Bank oppose above-ground gas regulators
