DRBC Votes To Extend Expired Permit For Gibbstown LNG Export On Delaware River
LNG Export Will Increase Fracking & Produce Huge Carbon Emissions
Murphy’s Green Sycophants Betrayed Again
The abuse of the regulatory process is so systematic, so transparent, and so unusual that it warrants both legislative oversight and criminal investigation.
Yesterday, the Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) voted to extend the expired permit for the massive Gibbstown NJ LNG export plant. (read the 3 year extension Resolution).
NJ Gov. Murphy, Vice-Chair of the DRBC, voted in favor of the extension (via his DEP representative).
That vote makes a mockery of Murphy’s climate policy and his personal commitment to do everything within his power to kill the project (after his DEP approved permits for it!)
“The Administration, however, remains unwavering in its commitment to continue advancing critical initiatives to protect the environment and public health for future generations. It will explore all avenues within its authority to prevent the use of this dock for LNG transport,” the statement said. Murphy did not say how he would do that.
That vote once again betrays and exposes the Gov.’s green sycophants and cheerleaders, including Ed Potosnak of NJ LCV, Doug O’Malley of Environment NJ, and NJ Clean Water Action.
That vote also confirms what we recently wrote, i.e. that DRBC Executive Director Steve Tambini was not acting unilaterally on his own when he previously extended the permit via letter:
There is no way DRBC Executive Director Tambini would have issued this extension on his own without consulting with Gov. Murphy’s Office, with his DEP Commissioner, or over the objection of Gov. Murphy or DEP, so the extension itself is compelling evidence that Gov. Murphy’s opposition is not genuine.
The fact that Fortress Energy remains committed to the project and continue to spend a lot of money developing the project is also compelling evidence that that have no fear of Gov. Murphy’s threat to kill the project.
That vote is not the first hypocritical and huge betrayal by Gov. Murphy of his climate commitments and is further evidence that this LNG project is completely corrupt.
In addition to Murphy DEP previously quietly issuing several questionable permit approvals and the involvement and conflicts of interest by DEP Commissioner LaTourette – who worked as a lawyer for the LNG project in securing DEP permits just 2 weeks before he was installed at DEP. I called that one of the most egregious abuses of the revolving door, ever.
There also is strong evidence suggesting political intervention in those permits and a cozy relationship (AKA “regulatory capture”) between DEP and the permit applicant.
In addition to that, recently DEP proposed regulations to promote the expansion of underground storage of natural gas, specifically at the LNG site, see:
That LNG export site just happens to be a toxic waste site that was polluted by and owned by Dupont, and Dupont has received many regulatory breaks from DEP, particularly regarding PCB pollution and damage to natural resources – both historically and in a recent DEP PCB lawsuit, where the Dupont site is named as a source of PCB’s but Dupont is not a defendant. Dupont previously benefited from NRD lawsuit sweetheart deals (e.g. see this and this).
According to NJ Spotlight, NY Gov. Hochul abstained – a cowardly move – but at least NY sought a public hearing and mentioned greenhouse gas emissions:
New York’s representative, Ken Kosinski, proposed that the Commission should delay action on the resolution until a public hearing could be held. “New York continues to have concerns about the original docket approval, regarding its environmental impacts, in particular greenhouse gas emissions and dredging of the Delaware River that’s affected by legacy industrial activity.”
This project has received: 1) a series of highly unusual regulatory approvals; 2) a DEP proposal of special regulations; 3) the involvement of NJ DEP Commissioner LaTourette, which raises gross revolving door and ethical concerns; all of which are in direct contradiction of Gov. Murphy’s public statements and energy and climate policies. In addition to all that, Dupont has not been held accountable by DEP for “legacy industrial” PCB discharges (referenced by NY State’s comment), for a complete cleanup of the site, and for public compensation for natural resource damages.
The abuse is so systematic, so transparent, and so unusual, that it warrants both legislative oversight and criminal investigation.
Who will step up to the plate and initiate that?