Gas line coming? Jersey City, Bayonne wooed for pipeline

[propscene]

Sounds like the exact same poll. The woman I spoke with on the phone had a pronounced Jersey accent, fwiw. I wonder if they are employing two or more two companies to conduct the poll (or if one company is subcontracting the other) or if someone is misrepresenting themselves.  

[fasteddie]

I got this poll call too. The guy told me he worked for Precision Opinion in Las Vegas. Seems like the same series of questions though. Starts out asking opinions of Fulop, Healy, city council. Asks if I am familiar with the Edison and California explosions. The questions were worded in a very confusing way. He would read a long rambling statement listing all the pros or  cons of having the pipeline in JC. At the end of each statement he would  ask "do you agree with this statement" OR "do you agree with this proposal". So after a few of these, if you're not listening carefully you might answer "yes" to the question "the spectra pipeline will kill everybody in Jersey City and burn all your houses down. Do you agree with this proposal (having a pipeline in JC)? Sometimes the guy would stumble over "statement/proposal" and change it. After a while, I found the safest way to answer all questions was to say "I am opposed to the pipeline in JC".

[propscene]

From the site's testimonials page:

"Adam Geller, and his firm, National Research, apply their political background to corporate public relations, and the results are impressive. Their research has allowed our firm to confidently guide our clients not only through a crisis, but through proactive, strategic business to business and consumer campaigns."
- Michael Cherenson, Vice President, Success Communications Group

and:

"This reformed New Yorker takes pride in his street sense and his willingness to brawl when needed."
- Politico, January 29, 2008

ORLY??

[propscene]

Oh look, they are Republican Pollsters!!
Money says Christie is trying to figure out how to ram this up Jersey City's delicate regions while making it seem as though it's what we really want but are too bashful to ask for.

Mr. National Research Company's twitter account:
http://twitter.com/adamhgeller

[propscene]

There's been a few posts AtS about a polling company that's soliciting feedback regarding the pros and cons of Spectra's proposed gas line project. The calls come from an unlisted number, but a lot of people are assuming that this is an objective poll being put out by FERC or the local government.

I posted this over there as well:

Heads Up! They are *not* from FERC or the city's lobbying firm.

I answered the questions in the poll tonight as well after finally giving up and picking up the phone to find out what unlisted # was bothering me all day. The woman I spoke with kept repeating that she was only working for National Research and that they just conduct polls and don't share or know who their clients are.

I kept saying "this is helping Spectra figure out how they can better sell this, right?" which she kept denying, repeating her "we are objective" mantra. The last 10 or so questions, if you can stand to get that far, are definitely weighted toward making the respondent feel more favorable about Spectra: things like "What should Jersey City spend all the money they'd be getting from Spectra on, education, parks, infrastructure, or lower taxes?"

A quick search shows this:

http://www.nationalresearchinc.com/

is the company.

Quote:
We'll conduct the right research, among the right audience and we'll ask the right questions. We'll give you an in-depth analysis, and then we'll work with your communications and marketing team to translate our insights into good, sound messaging. Think of our product as a "road map" that helps you get from Point A to Point B. We'll show you the path.

Strategic insights yield successful outcomes. It all starts with good opinion management.


********************************************
For my wjc peeps, I'll try and list as many of the questions as I can remember at some point if you are interested. What raised my eyebrows right off the bat was they asked me to answer whether I felt "very favorably, somewhat favorably, don't know, somewhat unfavorably, or very unfavorably" about the following people (in order of asking):

Jeremiah Healy

Chris Christie

Stephen Fulop

Spectra

Guess they are trying to figure out whose pockets they'll decide to stick the most bills in. 

Also awesome, some statistics about how safe natural gas lines are, because in 2007 only 17 people dies in gas line related accidents as compared to 37,435 in car accidents.

AWSOMEEE. I am gonna ride that gusher into Manhattan everyday once it's installed.

[DarkMoment]

Now that the Mayor has "declared" his intent to intervene when legally first possible (probably Dec when FERC issues "Deadline for Intervenors", "Notice of Application"), we have shifted our emphasis:

No San Bruno in Jersey City!
Demand Governor Christie have the Attorney General
Declare NOW that NJ will Intervene!

Call Governor Christie's office at (609) 292-6000.

It's crucial to call not only the Governor but all on our "Take Action" page. We must do this BEFORE Dec, as then only 30 days notice and purposely done at holiday time.

 Click on sig below to go to our site.

[fasteddie]

WNBC News video, 9/15/10 11PM

[stephen]

Mayor Healy appeared on NBC News at 11 with Brian Thompson discussing the threat of the proposed Spectra pipeline to the residents of Jersey City.  The TV broadcast discusses the mayor's intention to declare Intervenor standing at FERC as well as the other major stakeholders who have issue with the routing of the pipeline.

It's a solid piece and were grateful to Brian Thompson and NBC for the coverage as well as the Mayor's office for pushing this story.

Watch the video here:
http://nogaspipeline.org/press/san-bruno-nj-worries-it-could-happen-here

[jcgov]

Mayor Jerramiah T. Healy announced today that he, on behalf of the City of Jersey City, will file for “intervenor status” with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) in an attempt to stop Spectra Energy from running a natural gas pipeline through Jersey City.

Mayor Healy, who has spoken out against the pipeline on numerous occasions dating back to January, said the City can only file for “intervenor status” once Spectra officially files its formal application with FERC, which is expected in December. However, within the next ten days, Mayor Healy is expected to send a letter to FERC notifying them of the City’s intent to file for “intervenor status” when it is legally allowed.

Jersey City and Mayor Healy will be featured tonight on NBC’s 11:00 p.m. news as it takes a look at the proposed pipeline route.

Read more.

[CeeDub]

Total fucking boondoggle.  No need to go out there, we were watching live local news and the twitterfeed was flowing pretty fast. 

San Mateo County weather is not exactly Riverside - consider that rascal Twain's remark on the coldest winter he ever spent . . .

[TheFang]

So needs to send someone on a junket out to California for what, exactly?

Duh, because it's going to start getting cold and gray out here soon so someone wants to go on vacation with FE's tax dollars.

[MCA™]

So needs to send someone on a junket out to California for what, exactly?


Jersey City and Bayonne mayors use California explosion to argue against proposed natural gas pipeline
Monday, September 13, 2010
By MELISSA HAYES
JOURNAL STAFF WRITER

The mayors of Jersey City and Bayonne reiterated their opposition to a proposed natural gas pipeline that would run through their municipalities in the wake of Thursday night's explosion in California.

Jersey City Mayor Jerramiah T. Healy has asked city Office of Emergency Management Coordinator Greg Kierce to plan a trip to San Bruno, where the pipeline explosion occurred.

"While the incident in California is still under investigation, the explosion there claimed several lives, injured many, and leveled dozens of homes," Healy said in a statement. "If this type of explosion were to happen in a city our size, we cannot begin to comprehend the level of devastation, destruction and loss of life. It would be catastrophic."

Bayonne Mayor Mark Smith also repeated his opposition to Houston-based Spectra Energy's proposed natural gas pipeline.

"While it is not yet clear what the cause of the (California) explosion was, what is clear is the absolute devastation that ensued," Smith said in a statement. "A gas transmission main is simply not appropriate for our densely populated urban neighborhoods."

Spectra officials could not immediately be reached for comment. The pipeline in California is owned by Pacific Gas and Electric Co.

Jersey City officials said according to initial reports, the San Bruno pipeline that erupted was a "Class IV" pipeline, the same thickness of pipe that Spectra has proposed constructing through Jersey City and Bayonne; both are 30 inches in diameter.

Four people have been confirmed dead in San Bruno, but given the number of people missing, that toll could rise, authorities said.

According to Kierce, San Bruno is about the size of one neighborhood in Jersey City. He said he has reached out to officials to see if he would have access to the explosion site in California to get a hands-on assessment.

Spectra has begun the process of applying to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission for approval to run its pipeline from an existing line in Linden through Staten Island, under the Kill Van Kull, through Bayonne and Jersey City and under the Hudson River to Manhattan, where it would serve Con Edison.

Jersey City officials and citizen groups are fighting the pipeline application.

"I'd like to go out there just to strengthen our case (against Spectra) because this thing is not good for Jersey City," Kierce said. "I understand they have to deliver their forms of gas, but taking it through one of the most densely populated cities with the critical infrastructure we have in place just doesn't make sense."

[DarkMoment]

Has the mayor or city refused or expressed no interest in taking a position as an intervenor? Perhaps a public statement of his intentions beforehand could save a lot of people a trip to the council meeting, unless of course, he and the council enjoy being yelled at by angry crowds.

The Mayor has made no statement of support for filing as an intervenor. Under the FERC process (see our site)the first time the city can file as an intervenor comes when Spectra Energy files a formal application which occurs at the same time that FERC sends out it's EIS(Environmental Impact Statement)to those who formally made comments at either the Aug 4th JC mtg, made ecomments online or sent in comments by mail. At that time the Mayor can "formally" file for intervenor standing. However, nothing is preventing the Mayor to declare now his intent to do so in advance of the beginning of the time urgent deadline period.

We are working with the Mayor's office to produce a city-wide event that would include the Mayor, several council persons, Spectra Energy (will be invited) and experts on natural gas pipeline transmissions, toxins, etc. However, we intend to also make sure that unless the city files for intervenor standing at earliest possibility, all efforts, including those of lobbyists are just conversation. It is not enough to declare politically you are against the pipeline. You have to commit to filing as an intervenor so that we have legal standing before the Federal Courts.

BTW, we don't encourage yelling at all. We ask that all signup to speak and speak with respect to the council and the Mayor as we have done and will continue to do in this process, irrespective of politics. On the issue of this pipeline, virtually all the politicians share the same view.

[jcgov]

Mayor Jerramiah T. Healy and other city officials today reiterated concerns about the construction of a natural gas pipeline in Jersey City following Thursday night’s devastating pipeline explosion in a suburb of San Francisco.

According to initial reports city officials have received, the California natural gas pipeline that erupted was a “Class IV” pipeline, the same thickness of pipe that Spectra has proposed constructing through Jersey City. The difference, however, is that the pipeline in San Bruno was 24 inches in diameter, while the Jersey City pipeline is proposed to be even larger at 30 inches. San Bruno, at about 40,000 residents, is one sixth the size of Jersey City.

Read more.

[fip]

it isn't exactly true that the san bruno fire shows what would happen in jersey city.

in truth it could be far worse. the current population numbers for that CA suburb is 40k. the current population of JC is about 6 times that - with single buildings that exceed the population for the decimated neighbordhood itself. and these JC highrises cannot be evacuated in the few seconds that these people had to run for their lives. the fact that we even have to defend ourselves from this proposal is sheer madness.

[fasteddie]

Has the mayor or city refused or expressed no interest in taking a position as an intervenor? Perhaps a public statement of his intentions beforehand could save a lot of people a trip to the council meeting, unless of course, he and the council enjoy being yelled at by angry crowds.

[DarkMoment]

Jersey City must Demand the Mayor Intervene at FERC!

No matter how many natural gas explosions, how many people killed and injured, homes destroyed, lives ruined, only intervening allows Jersey City to have legal standing in Federal Courts to overturn a FERC ruling. If you want to stop this Spectra Energy natural gas pipeline from coming through Jersey City, here's what you must do:

City Council Meeting - Demand the Mayor Intervene @ FERC


Wednesday, September 15, 2010 - 6:00pm

In order for the city to have any legal standing against the pipeline the Mayor must seek intervenor status -- we must demand that the Mayor intervene at FERC.

Location:  City Council Chambers, City Hall, 280 Grove Street, 2nd Floor. 

We need people to address the City Council during the public comment section of the meeting.

Please call the City Clerk's office at 201-547-5150.  Ask to be put on the public speaker's list for the meeting on September 15.

Can't come?

Call the Mayor and ALL City Council persons, tell them that we Demand the Mayor Intervene @ FERC.  Call Mayor Jeremiah Healy's office at 201-547-5200.

» City Council phone numbers and other actions

[nugnfutz]

So check out the news from San Bruno CA by SFO tonite and then think about what a pipeline here would mean . . .

Yep - horrendous

http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/livenow?id=7659504#&cmp=twi-kgo-video-7659504

[CeeDub]

So check out the news from San Bruno CA by SFO tonite and then think about what a pipeline here would mean . . .

[stephen]

We need to find those that still don't know about the proposed pipeline.  It's imperative that we continue to build awareness and keep us focused on the current action – calling Mayor Healy's office (201-547-5200) and demand that he seek Intervenor standing with FERC.

We need to put the "boots on the ground" and get the word out in the good ol' fashioned way ... posters and flyers and face-to-face conversations!

We've prepared a poster and two different flyers to make getting the message out all the easier.  Print and go!

http://nogaspipeline.org/2010-08-30/im-a-fan-on-facebook-now-what

[MCA™]

Jersey City to hire lobbyist to fight proposed natural gas pipeline
Published: Monday, August 23, 2010, 8:02 PM
Updated: Monday, August 23, 2010, 8:34 PM
Melissa Hayes/The Jersey Journal

The Jersey City City Council plans to vote to hire a lobbyist Wednesday in hopes of blocking a Texas company's plans to run a natural gas pipeline through Jersey City.

Spectra Energy has begun the federal application process to run a natural gas pipeline from an existing line in Linden through Staten Island, Bayonne and Jersey City to Manhattan as part of its New Jersey-New York expansion.

The resolution to hire Boston-based O'Neill and Associates for $32,500 is on Wednesday's agenda.

"The next six months are critical because between now and the end of December, they're going to determine what the final route is," Deputy Mayor Rosemary McFadden told council members at yesterday's caucus.

While City Council members have been pinching pennies in the wake of a multi-million budget deficit, Mayor Jerramiah T. Healy defended the expenditure saying the consultants are needed to help navigate the application before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

"This is an important issue and consists of a federal process which no one in our city is extremely knowledgeable of," Healy said in a statement. "This is a group with vast expertise and experience in this particular area. It is of utmost importance that we be guided through this process by a firm with this type of knowledge and credentials."

City Council members seem to agree.

"I think it's imperative that we're represented," Ward A Councilman Michael Sottolano said.

Healy and state Sen. Sandra Cunningham, of Jersey City, have come out against the pipeline as well as U.S. Sen. Frank Lautenberg.

Under the contract, O'Neill would provide the city with a "federal relations campaign addressing key federal offices." The consultant would also develop questions and concerns related to the pipeline, which would be presented to the federal agencies.

The firm will provide weekly updates to the city and written reports twice a month.

[DarkMoment]

Jersey City Activists Opposing Spectra Energy's Natural Gas Pipeline Launch New Website
 
The Huffington Post August 22, 2010

  |  The Jersey City Independent Posted: 08-20-10 08:00 AM


Back in February, as news of Spectra Energy’s proposal to run a natural gas pipeline extension through Jersey City was first becoming known, longtime Downtown Jersey City resident and activist Dale Hardman, along with several other concerned citizens, set up a Google Group website designed to provide information raising concerns about the plan.

In the months that have followed, the pipeline proposal has quickly grown into one of the biggest and most contentious issues of the year, as evidenced by the hundreds of people who turned out at the recent Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) hearing. So the activists yesterday launched a standalone website, NoGasPipeline.org, in an effort “to stop Spectra Energy's natural gas pipeline planned route through Jersey City.”

The site was created by Hardman and Jersey City web designer Stephen Musgrave, who first met at a Harsimus Cove Neighborhood Association meeting where the pipeline was being discussed.

“Dale and I agree on stopping this pipeline through Jersey City,” Musgrave says. “And since I build websites professionally I said let’s put our backgrounds together to do this for the benefit of us all in Jersey City.”

They say the group is seeking 501(c)3 nonprofit status, and, in addition to helping inform concerned residents, its main goal is pressing the city to officially take on legal intervener status, which they believe may be the only way to stop the pipeline.

"We must stop Spectra Energy from bringing their pipeline through Jersey City as the risks are too great, due to toxins that are released and become airborne, and pipeline explosions,” Hardman says. “I met Stephen and we decided to build a website integrated with Facebook, Twitter and other social media that will seek to galvanize residents, the mayor's office and New Jersey state and regional agencies to seek formal intervener status which is the only legal basis this project can be stopped coming through Jersey City.”

Click Here for More
[...]

    * Copyright © 2010 HuffingtonPost.com, Inc. |

[Soshin]

It might be just me but why does Spectra make me think of this

[nugnfutz]

The planned pipeline also runs alongside train tracks used to carry hazardous materials. For me that's the biggest issue. Are the state and fed going to allow Spectra to create bomb components side-by-side?



"The planned expansion will pass through or nearby a number of heavy industrial and chemical plants and in close proximity to Homeland Security Department designated Tier 1 & Tier 2 Critical Infrastructure. An explosion near any of these facilities could be catastrophic"

TODAY is the last day to submit your e-comments about the pipeline! They must be received by 5:00 PM Eastern.

Trade your coffee break for some good ol' civic activism - it will take 10 minutes max and we've put together a step-by-step guide:

http://nogaspipeline.org/write-to-ferc

IF YOU ALREADY HAVE SUBMITTED your letter, you can submit another letter if you have new concerns.  The NEW  sample letter on our new website has some new ideas.

http://nogaspipeline.org/write-to-ferc

[stephen]

TODAY is the last day to submit your e-comments about the pipeline! They must be received by 5:00 PM Eastern.

Trade your coffee break for some good ol' civic activism - it will take 10 minutes max and we've put together a step-by-step guide:

http://nogaspipeline.org/write-to-ferc

IF YOU ALREADY HAVE SUBMITTED your letter, you can submit another letter if you have new concerns.  The NEW  sample letter on our new website has some new ideas.

http://nogaspipeline.org/write-to-ferc