NJ TRANSITGRID comprises two projects: The NJ TRANSITGRID TRACTION POWER SYSTEM and NJ TRANSITGRID DISTRIBUTED GENERATION SOLUTIONS.
The NJ TRANSITGRID TRACTION POWER SYSTEM is the subject of an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) prepared in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA). NEPA requires that federally funded projects be evaluated to determine and disclose potential project effects on the environment and adjacent communities and to consider alternative courses of action as appropriate. New Jersey Transit Corporation (NJ TRANSIT) completed the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) in accordance with Federal Transit Administration’s (FTA) guidance for environmental reviews. The DEIS was made available for public review as of May 20, 2019. It contains technical analyses to describe the effects of the project on the environment and adjacent communities. The DEIS evaluates a broad range of issues, including any impacts on land, water, air, infrastructure and / or living organisms, as well as the environmental values at the project site and social, cultural and economic impacts. The public comment period for the DEIS is from May 20, 2019 to July 19, 2019. (The document can be viewed here.)
A Notice of Availability (NOA) for the NJ TRANSITGRID TRACTION POWER SYSTEM DEIS was published in the Federal Register by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on May 17, 2019 as EIS No. 20190104. (The Federal Register can be viewed here.)
NJ TRANSIT held a Public Hearing on June 18, 2019 at Saint Peter’s University in Jersey City, New Jersey. The Public Hearing provided an opportunity for the public and agencies to learn about the project, speak to the project sponsors, enter comments into the record directly through dictation and provide input to the DEIS in writing. (The Public Hearing advertisement can be viewed here.)
Following the close of the 60-day public comment period, comments on the DEIS were considered in a Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS). The FEIS and Record of Decision (ROD) announce and explain FTA’s decision and describe any commitments for mitigating potential social, economic, and environmental impacts. (The document can be viewed here.) (To view the Notice of Combined FEIS/ROD, please click here.) (The Federal Register can be viewed here.)
NJ TRANSIT prepared an Agency and Public Coordination Plan for the NJ TRANSITGRID TRACTION POWER SYSTEM (the Project). The Agency and Public Coordination Plan, updated April 12, 2019, was prepared following FTA’s “Environmental Review Process Guidance” that addresses statutory requirements regarding the environmental review of FTA actions. (The document can be viewed here.) The Agency and Public Coordination Plan was written and is periodically revised during the Project’s environmental review process to ensure agency and public input. The document is updated to reflect the most current Project information and agency and public involvement techniques that are appropriate to the current Project stage.
NJ TRANSIT completed the public scoping process in May 2016 which provided federal, state, and local agencies and the public with the opportunity to review and comment on the proposed methodologies that were used to assess the potential social, economic, and environmental impacts of the project.