PARSIPPANY — On Wednesday, April 24 the public was heard on the proposed JCP&L transmission line that would run through a significant portion of Parsippany. This extension was deemed to be in the public interest by a NJ Board of Public Utilities order, approved in 2017, though the Township has long expressed formal opposition to the project.
While I held major concerns regarding the extension of this project through wetlands and residential areas, I was hopeful that JCP&L would at least effectively demonstrate that this project would (1) result in significant improvements to our electrical infrastructure to “keep the lights on” and (2) involve minimal disruption to residential property values and vulnerable natural lands. Unfortunately, JCP&L failed to meet those expectations on both counts.
The Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills is not the sole decision-making authority in this process, though we do have the ability to approve any green acres diversion right-of-way. Given what I now believe to be a lack of preparedness and concern for the residents who would be impacted by this project, I strongly urge JCP&L go back to the drawing board and present a new plan that takes all of last night’s important feedback into account.
As a resident of Lake Hiawatha who has suffered tremendous flooding myself, I am particularly sensitive to the concerns raised about any potential flooding associated with this transmission line. In any version of this project that will be proposed, I am committed to ensuring that a full, complete, and comprehensive environmental study is performed and available to ensure residents that additional flooding will not result. I will not support any version of this project in which that is not the case.
Let me reiterate: the loss of power residents of Parsippany experience all too frequently remains a top concern for my administration, and I believe that a productive relationship with JCP&L is the only way to address this major issue. But cooperation is a two-way street, and I expect JCP&L to present solutions that result in major improvements to our grid and have minimal impacts to our residents and environment.
