Hundreds march to protest proposed natural gas pipeline

UPPER BLACK EDDY, Pa (AP) — Several hundred protesters turned out Aug. 23 to march across the Delaware River in opposition to a proposed 114-mile pipeline that would shuttle natural gas from Pennsylvania to New Jersey.

Those against PennEast's proposal said during the mile-long march they're concerned the pipeline would badly damage the landscape and natural resources in the region, and lower property values.

“The people of Pennsylvania and New Jersey are showing they are unified in their message to PennEast: Go home, we don't want your pipeline," said Maya van Rossum, who leads the nonprofit Delaware Riverkeeper Network. “It's also a message to politicians and regulators. They have to decide whether they want to side with the people or with a corporation that cares only about profit."

The march, organized by Concerned Citizens Against the Pipeline, began in Upper Black Eddy and continued over the Upper Black Eddy-Milford Bridge to Milford, New Jersey, where it ended in a park. Many residents at the protest weren't happy with PennEast's proposed route for the pipeline, which would run from Luzerne County to Mercer County, New Jersey.

“It makes no sense for us. There is no benefit for the people who live where they want to put this thing," said Nockamixon resident Lloyd Traven, who participated in the march. “It seems like they're selectively picking to go through the best land possible."

PennEast said in a statement that it respects the rights of individuals to voice their opinions, but “would prefer they be based on fact and not the misleading information perpetuated by those opposed" to the pipeline's development.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission regulates the route of interstate pipelines and PennEast is working toward obtaining an approval for its line.