TRENTON, NJ – A federal judge has ruled that Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Company, LLC can immediately take possession of land in Franklin Township, Somerset County, for construction linked to its Northeast Supply Enhancement Project. The decision, issued by Judge Zahid N. Quraishi in the District of New Jersey, gives Transco control over 1.451 acres of permanent easement and 0.460 acres of temporary easement.
The ruling follows an application filed by Transco on January 2 and subsequent opposition from Franklin Township officials, who argued the company’s request for immediate possession was premature. After hearing arguments on February 17, the court determined that Transco met all legal requirements under federal eminent domain authority.
Transco, which delivers more than 60 percent of New Jersey’s natural gas, has sought for years to expand its pipeline capacity through the Northeast Supply Enhancement Project. The project would transport an additional 400,000 dekatherms of gas per day to customers including National Grid. Central to the plan is the construction of Compressor Station 206, a facility designed to boost gas pressure and move fuel efficiently through the system.
The company’s plans have faced multiple regulatory challenges. Both the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation previously denied Clean Water Act permits tied to the project, citing environmental and waterway concerns. Despite these setbacks, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) issued Transco a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity in 2019, later amending it in 2020 to allow use of an existing Environmental Protection Agency access road to the proposed compressor site.
Court sides with Transco after years of opposition
Franklin Township argued that the company’s request for possession should be delayed until pending environmental issues were resolved. Judge Quraishi disagreed, granting Transco immediate access to the land and clearing a major procedural hurdle for the long-delayed project.
Environmental advocates continue to question the long-term impact of expanding fossil fuel infrastructure across central New Jersey, while township officials have not yet indicated whether they plan to appeal.
- Judge grants Transco immediate possession of Franklin Township easement
- Project would add 400,000 dekatherms of gas transport capacity
- Environmental concerns remain despite federal court ruling
Next steps in the pipeline expansion
With the order in place, Transco is now authorized to begin access and preparation work at the Franklin Township site while continuing to coordinate with regulators on remaining state-level approvals and environmental compliance reviews.
