More than 50 organizations say the Delaware River Basin Commission should take more oversight. They expect a glut of new pipes to carry gas from the Marcellus gas field.
A warning marks an existing natural gas pipe in Clinton Township. Transcontinental Gas Pipeline Co. wants approval to build a new, larger pipe next to it.
The 52 organizations say the pipelines can degrade waterways.
"The DRBC should use its existing authority, or establish new authority, to ensure … no new pipelines will be constructed that might adversely affect water quality,” said Kate Sinding, an attorney for the Natural Resources Defense Council, which signed the petition.
Signers who announced the petition today say they expect tens of thousands of new miles of natural gas pipelines in Pennsylvania and New Jersey as more wells are dug to drill the rich Marcellus natural gas field under much of Pennsylvania.
The Riverkeeper Network says it submitted the petition at the most recent commission meeting and hopes for discussion on it at the next commission meeting Dec. 5.
The commission includes the governors of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York and Delaware and a representative of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The commission can enact rules and regulations to protect the river.
The petition comes as Transcontinental Gas Pipeline Co. seeks to build a 42-inch diameter natural gas pipeline next to existing natural gas pipelines through about seven miles of Clinton, Franklin and Union townships in Hunterdon County. The Transco project also includes portions in Monroe County, Pa., and elsewhere.