Somerset Freeholders to oppose Transco gas line application

A rendering of the proposed Transco pipeline compressor facility in Franklin Township.

The Somerset County Board of Freeholders is seeking to become an intervenor in a Federal Regulatory Commission application filed by Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Company to build a compressor station in Franklin Township .

In March, the company filed an application seeking a certificate of public convenience and necessity to construct its Northeast Supply Enhancement Project.

Transco plans to provide an additional 400,000 dekatherms per day of additional natural gas to its offshore Rockaway Transfer Point in New York. The proposed Franklin Township compressor station would be located adjacent to the Trap Rock Quarry.

“Our first responsibility is for the health and safety of Somerset County residents, and quite frankly, we are not convinced the need for this facility outweighs those concerns, especially since it would be located in proximity to both residential and commercial buildings, as well as preserved open space,” said Freeholder Mark Caliguire. “We are not convinced that Transco can mitigate the substantial adverse environmental and societal impacts that the compressor station could create.”

The new, 32,000-horsepower compressor station near Transco’s mainline will consist of two Solar Mars 100 compressor units and gas cooling equipment, officials said. Pending regulatory approval, Transco anticipates having the Somerset County station and related project components in Pennsylvania and New York State operational by the end of 2019.

The freeholders’ resolution, approved today, April 25, authorizes County Counsel William Cooper III “to take the necessary steps so that Somerset County can intervene and become a party to FERC regulatory matter, Docket No. CP17-101-000.”

The Transco pipeline is owned by Oklahoma-based Williams Companies Inc.More information about the compressor station project is available online.

3 Comments

  1. Glad Somerset Co is joining Middlesex Co, South Brunswick, Franklin, Montgomery, Lawrenceville, and Rocky Hill who have all submitted objections. Now, what about Princeton and Mercer Co? Do we want this 2 miles from our border?

      1. Agree. That why I’d like to see a strong statement by Mercer and Princeton. This is not in our best interest, or our neighbors.

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