Brief of New Jersey Society for Environmental, Economic Development under CP15-558.

308 West State Street Trenton, NJ 08618 609.394.7726 New Jersey Society for Environmental, 609.394.2795 Fax New Jersey Society for Environmental, info@njseed.org Economic Development www.njseed.org October 20, 2015 Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary Federal Energy Regulatory Commission 888 First Street, NE Washington, DC 2042 Re: Proposed PennEast Pipeline, Docket No. CP15-558-000 Dear Secretary Bose: On behalf of The New Jersey Society for Environmental, Economic Development (NJ SEED) President Jim Benton, Vice Presidents Josie DiRienzo and Charlie Wowkanech, along with the rest of the Officers and Trustees, I would like to offer the comments in support of the proposed PennEast Pipeline. By way of background, NJ SEED is a unique coalition of New Jerseys most prominent labor and business leaders. Our diverse membership includes labor advocates, construction trade groups and electrical workers unions; energy providers; environmental consultants; telecommunications firms; banks; residential and commercial development interests; insurance firms; educators; law enforcement and firefighters; food manufacturers and retailers; water utilities; chemical industries; pharmaceutical companies and healthcare interests. What we all have in common is our belief that economic growth and environmental protection are not mutually exclusive. For more than thirty years, NJ SEED has supported balanced public policies that create private sector jobs, bolster our economy and enhance our environment. PennEast is requesting the Commission issue a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity, which would authorize construction, installation, operation and maintenance of the 118-mile, 36- inch diameter PennEast Pipeline. Upon completion, the underground natural gas pipeline would deliver 1 billion cubic feet of natural gas per day, thereby addressing current pipeline constraints that result in higher costs, increased price volatility and reduced reliable energy supplies for consumers. Upgrading New Jerseys distribution and transmission infrastructure is a critical component to securing our states energy future. The U.S. Pipeline & Hazardous Materials Safety Administration has supported programs of infrastructure investment and upgrades where implemented for natural gas pipeline replacement. Similar programs have been utilized to accelerate repair and replacement of natural gas infrastructure in many other states. If constructed, the PennEast Pipeline will enhance much-needed natural gas infrastructure interconnectivity in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Long-range investment in this infrastructure and delivery systems will enable improvements in natural gas efficiency, helping to stabilize and even lower energy costs across the entire mid-Atlantic and North East regions. 308 West State Street Trenton, NJ 08618 609.394.7726 New Jersey Society for Environmental, 609.394.2795 Fax New Jersey Society for Environmental, info@njseed.org Economic Development www.njseed.org In ...