Gas compressor in use at rural Old Bridge site
Station is needed to pump natural gas to northerly areas
BY JESSICA SMITH Staff Writer
Though it was not exactly welcomed by local officials, a natural gas compressor station that helps to transport gas along the Transco pipeline is up and running in Old Bridge.

Located off Waterworks Road in the township's industrial section, the station was brought to town through a federally regulated process in which township officials had no say. The facility also borders Sayreville.

"That particular location best met all of the criteria," said Chris Stockton, a spokesperson for Williams, the Texas-based company that owns the pipeline and station. "Although we're federally regulated, we're still operating in these communities, and we want to have good relationships with these communities."

Old Bridge officials including Mayor Jim Phillips did not welcome the station when the plans were introduced, according to Old Bridge Township Administrator Mike Jacobs. And although they expressed their displeasure with the prospect in writing, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) gave Williams the go-ahead.

"There's no benefit for Old Bridge from having it there," Jacobs said. "It's not like we needed it to get gas to residents."

Jacobs said the station was needed to pump gas to areas in the pipeline north of Old Bridge. Though the township will receive tax revenue from the station, the financial benefits are not significant enough to make it beneficial to the town.

According to Stockton, there has been an increase in the demand for natural gas because of environmental restrictions dealing with emissions from oil. He added that more than 50 percent of the gas used in New Jersey is delivered through the Transco pipeline.

The compressor is situated on a 26- acre site between Waterworks and Cheesequake roads. About 10 acres of the site is used for the station, and the other 16 acres remains wooded. The compressor is located at 55 Manza Blvd., a new road named after the former owner of the property that connects Waterworks and Cheesequake roads.

"You couldn't fire a rifle at this place and hit a house," Mayor Jim Phillips said.

According to Phillips, there are no residences in close proximity to the station, and the facility itself is relatively safe. He added that the buildings are nondescript and unobtrusive in appearance.

When Williams representatives presented their plans to the township Planning Board in July 2006, they stated that noise and odor were two potential issues to be brought by the station, but said they did not foresee either being a problem. The structures are built in such a way to minimize noise pollution, representatives said, and odors would not reach residences during instances when the compressor station is being vented.

Phillips said emergency management and fire code officials took issue with Williams in December, when they were not notified by the company before a "blowdown" took place. This involves releasing gas from a portion of the pipeline.

"That's a standard operating procedure, and they do notify us," Jacobs said.

Though officials were not alerted for the blowdown, Stockton said the company will comply with the township's request to be given advanced notice of any foreseen maintenance or testing activities to take place.According to Stockton, the station is designed to shut down automatically in the case of a potential emergency. When the station shuts down, trapped gas is released into the air, he said.

"It's not a safety issue," Stockton said, adding, "In normal situations, they're not releasing gases."

While natural gas itself has no odor, a harmless substance called mercaptan is injected into the gas by utility companies before it is delivered to residences, Stockton said. Used as a safety measure, it allows people to detect gas when leaks occur.

Stockton explained that before FERC approves a compressor station at a given site, extensive studies must be conducted, and proof of exploring alternative sites must be presented by the company.

"There is a whole checklist of things that we do," Stockton said.

Environmental impact studies survey vegetation at a site to determine whether ecosystems will be disturbed, and investigate whether endangered species are present in the area, according to Stockton. The studies are then reviewed by FERC.

"In most cases, it's not going to have any effect," Stockton said.

Though the compressor station will be manned by several staff members during some hours of the day, Stockton said these types of facilities are designed to be operated remotely from other locations.