Contentious New Jersey pipeline plan clears 1 hurdle

PEMBERTON, N.J. (AP) -- A contentious plan to build a natural gas pipeline has received a boost as it goes for a second time before the commission that regulates development in the New Jersey Pinelands.

The Pinelands Commission staff on Friday gave the project a certificate of filing, which shows that the application from South Jersey Gas is complete and consistent with rules for developments in the protected area of the state.

Now, it's subject to approval from the state Board of Public Utilities before heading back to the Pinelands Commission staff for a review.

The Sierra Club's New Jersey chapter is upset that the process does not include Pinelands Commissions public hearings and a vote of the full commission.

Last year, the commission stalemated 7-7, blocking the project.

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