NEWARK -- A group of eight labor unions and business associations have formed a coalition aimed at gathering public support for the embattled Pilgrim Pipeline proposal.
Signaling that Pilgrim is preparing to press its effort to gain government approvals, the group announced the formation of the Coalition to Support Pilgrim Pipeline.
The proposed 178-mile, double pipeline between Albany, N.Y., and Linden would bring crude oil south and then ship refined products north for distribution.
The coalition is being formed in the face of widespread opposition in New Jersey, where all 28 towns along the route, along with both houses of the Legislature, have passed resolutions against the plan. A coalition of 54 citizens groups has also joined forces to oppose the pipeline.
"We are excited to launch the coalition to give a voice to the many who believe that Pilgrim offers a safer, cleaner and better way to transport essential fuel products throughout our region," said Roger Ellis, coalition spokesman and business agent for the Newark-based Heavy and General Construction Laborers Local 472.
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Ellis said the group plans to "put all the facts on the table," pointing out that "for the foreseeable future ... our region will be relying on petroleum products for everything from driving our cars, to heating our homes to flying around the world."
"The Pilgrim Pipeline would provide the most economical and environmentally responsible way to move those critical fuels," Ellis said.
For union workers in New Jersey and New York, Ellis added, the pipeline is "one of the most significant energy infrastructure projects to be proposed in years" and will provide more than 2,000 construction jobs.
Opponents are fearful of possible leaks and explosions and say the oil could harm the water supply. The pipeline would pass through the Highlands region in northern New Jersey, which provides water to more than half the state.
The pipeline would transport Baaken oil from North Dakota, considered one of the most volatile types of petroleum because it must be "fracked" out of high density shale.
But proponents of the pipeline say it is safer and more efficient and environmentally friendly than the present method of shipping oil by barge on the Hudson River.
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Members of the new coalition also include the New Jersey Building & Construction Trades Council; the Fuel Merchants Association of New Jersey; International Union of Operating Engineers Local 825; New York State Pipe Trades Association; Utility & Transportation Contractors Association of New Jersey; Teamsters Local 560 and United Association of Pipefitters Local 274, along with Ellis' construction group.
At the group's website, it describes the advantages of the pipeline and tells proponents how to take action, offering a sample letter of support to send to legislators.
Paul Nathanson, a spokesman for Pilgrim, hailed the coalition's efforts.
"We're happy that groups are getting together to support us," he said. "These groups have supported us for awhile, but now they're doing it in a more coordinated fashion. Hopefully, their voices will be more out front."
Although Pilgrim has been circulating its general plans for more than a year, it still hasn't submitted a formal proposal to any regulatory agency in New Jersey or New York.
"We're still doing what we need to do to determine the best route," Nathanson said, adding that the Route 287 corridor in New Jersey is still the main focus. "All along the route, there are studies you need to do."
Nathanson said Pilgrim officials continue to "reach out" to elected officials and will be submitting plans in both states. But, he added, "We've stopped giving dates, because everything gets delayed."
Even though Public Service Electric & Gas Co. declined to give Pilgrim permission to use its right-of-way on a key 27-mile stretch between Montville and Woodbridge, Nathanson said he doesn't believe that issue that will cause a significant delay.
Leading a coalition of groups opposing Pilgrim's plans has been the Sierra Club, and Jeff Tittel, director of the Sierra Club's New Jersey chapter, said the formation of the new coalition "shows they're getting desperate."
"They realize the towns don't want it," he said. "They're looking for a way to bully their way forward and it's not going to work."
Tittel said the eight groups in the coalition "are just looking to make money" and none represents local interests. "There's not even a chamber of commerce in there," he pointed out.
Ben Horowitz may be reached at bhorowitz@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @HorowitzBen. Find NJ.com on Facebook.