PSE&G Project's Delay a Relief to Some in Montville

PSE&G's Susquehanna-Roseland power line upgrade, a project that would affect over seven miles of Montville township, has been delayed and will not begin work in this area until 2014. And for some in Montville, that's welcome news.

"We are disappointed by the delay, but look forward to meeting the region's reliability requirements in partnership with our regulators and PJM," PSE&G president Ralph Izzo said in a statement on July 30.

According to Deann Muzikar, a representative from PSE&G, the company is currently in the process of securing the necessary environmental permits for work near wetlands and expects the eastern portion of the project, which includes work in the township, to be delayed until 2014.

"We are waiting for approval from the national park service," she said. "We are still committed to building the project once we secure these permits."

Township committeewoman Deborah Nielson said that the project is planned to take place over a 46-mile area, with over seven miles of line to be worked on in the township. According to her, the seven miles is the largest millage of any affected municipality. She believes that the project's stall will come as a victory to some members of the township.

"This is a controversial issue," she said. "[The project] goes through the Lake Valhalla homes, the heart of the Chase condo complex, goes behind Lazar middle school. I would imagine that those affected parties are somewhat relieved about the reprieve."

According to Nielson, the township committee's decision to allow temporary construction for the Susquehanna-Roseland project, which would involve increasing the height of existing lines in town by 80 or 90 feet, was heavily contested. She said that the township meetings regarding the project were always crowded with area residents concerned about the issue.

"A lot of residents were not in favor of the construction project, particularly behind the school," she said.

The township stood to gain almost $400,000 from PSE&G for the temporary construction rights for the project. According to Nielson, that payment is now on hold. The money did not factor into the township's 2010 budget.

"The town did not start preparing its 2011 budget yet, that begins in the fall," she said. "The money does not count [for the 2010 budget]."

Jeff Tittel, president of the New Jersey Seirra Club, said that, due to the nature of the project itself, this delay could be the first step toward a complete cancellation.

"The more this project is delayed, the less likely it will happen," he said. At the end of the day, this project isn't necessary due to the environmental destruction and the bringing in of dirty coal power. As new sources of clean energy come online, this project becomes more and more obsolete. The delay gives the regional grid a chance to review the need assessment, and as they do they'll find out this project isn't necessary."

Tittel hopes that this stoppage will lead to a "more environmentally conscious power strategy."

"Maybe they will come to their senses and realize they would be better off investing in clean energy."

For now, the township will have to wait and what, if anything, results from the delay.

"Montville Township does not have a say," Nielson said. "The municipality has no legal standing in terms of the project's approval, it's at a state and federal level."