Essex County Activists Rally At Pipeline Station, Appeal To Biden

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — A national campaign against climate change that aims to catch the eye of President Joe Biden saw some local support in Essex County last week.

Environmental advocacy group Roseland Against the Compressor Station (RACS) held a rally and vigil outside the Williams/Transco natural gas compressor station on Eagle Rock Avenue in Roseland on Jan. 19.

According to a statement from the group, the event was held in solidarity with #BuildBackFossilFree, a national day of action that is urging President Joe Biden to “use all the tools at his disposal” to avert further climate devastation while helping people recover from the coronavirus pandemic.

“Around the country local actions will be taking place calling for the new Biden/Harris administration to integrate strong action on the climate crisis into their first 100 days plan,” organizers wrote.

“RACS supports that, so we will demonstrate in Roseland that day on Eagle Rock Avenue outside the compressor station, calling for it to be shut down and for Governor Phil Murphy to finally implement a moratorium on any new fossil fuel projects in the state,” the group added.

Oklahoma-based Williams began expansion at the station in 2016 as part of its Gateway Expansion Project, a larger effort to revamp the Transco interstate natural gas pipeline and provide additional service to New Jersey and New York. The project has seen vocal opposition from community members, who allege that the facility is an environmental and safety hazard.

Williams/Transco has disputed their allegations, claiming that the expansion is safe and is needed to help provide New Jersey with more than half of its natural gas.

• See related article: Democrats, GOP In Roseland Agree: 'No Compressor Expansion'
• See related article: Essex County Protesters To Gov. Murphy: Halt Compressor Expansion

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