New Jersey Natural Gas has won unanimous approval from the state Board of Public Utilities to build a controversial 28 mile pipeline through several towns in Monmouth, Ocean and Burlington Counties.

North Light Images, Getty Images
North Light Images, Getty Images
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Permits for the $130 million project are still needed from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, impacted municipalities and counties and the Pinelands Commission, according to NJ Advance Media. The BPU still has to decide whether NJNG can have local zoning and planning board approvals waived.

NJNG officials have said the Southern Reliability Link is needed to prevent interruptions in service or a failure in the system, similar to what customers experienced during Superstorm Sandy.

The 30-inch natural gas pipeline would run through Chesterfield, North Hanover, Upper Freehold, Plumsted and Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst and to NJNG's system in Manchester.

The BPU said its 5-0 decision Wednesday came after three public hearings and a review of more than 1,000 written comments and 19 alternative routes.

Residents, municipal and county officials and environmentalists opposed to the project have expressed concerns about safety and pollution.

NJ Advance Media reports another concern is a proposed compressor station awaiting federal approval that would take gas from Williams Co.'s Trenton Woodbury line and send it into the NJNG pipeline.

 

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