“The Green Awards is our way of thanking and recognizing the City’s green pioneers,” Mayor Jerramiah Healy says. “These awards are part of a community of trail blazers who are lending our environmentally responsible development approach now taking hold in our city and the state.”

This years development winners are:

• Hoboken Brownstone Company, for its ambitious seven-acre Van Leer Place development on Hoboken Avenue near the Hoboken border (rendering seen at right). Parts of the mixed-use development on the former site of the Van Leer chocolate factory are slated to have up to 90-percent energy savings compared to traditional buildings through the use of geothermal and solar energy, as well as other green technologies.
• United Associates of Journey New and Apprentices Local Plumbers Union No. 24, for its solar hot water training.
• Jersey City Episcopal Community Development Corporation for its construction of affordable energy efficient homes.
• Franklin Development Group for its Mary Norton Manor Condominiums, a workforce housing project on Duncan Avenue.

Also being honored this year are Bike JC, city planner Tanya Marione-Stanton for her work on the city’s revamped Adopt-A-Lot program, Grove Street Bicycles and the newly reformed Jersey City Environmental Commission. City Green, the nonprofit arm of the Jersey City Redevelopment Agency (JCRA), and Garden State Urban Farms will also receive Urban Innovation awards.

“We pride ourselves on selecting a number of applicants who ordinarily would not be recognized for their contribution,” JCRA executive director Robert Antonicello says.

The Fourth Annual Green Awards Ceremony is slated for Thursday, October 19 at 1 pm in City Hall’s council chambers.

The draft Environmental Impact Statement released by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has “too much reliance … on representations made by the applicant, Spectra Energy,” Mayor Jerramiah Healy said at a Tuesday afternoon press conference.

“I’m here today to re-declare our opposition to the Spectra pipeline,” Healy said of the pipeline that would run from “the south end of our city almost all the way up to the northern end.” Citing both the close-to-home pipeline explosion in Edison 15 years ago and the more recent San Bruno, California explosion, Healy called into question the supposed safety of gas pipelines. Even in relatively lightly-populated area the damage was devastating, he said.

“As bad as they were, it was not in a densely populated area like Jersey City,” Healy said. “If an explosion happened here the consequences would be catastrophic.”

The half-hour press conference reiterated the city’s two-year opposition to the natural gas pipeline’s proposed route — which would run 6.5 miles through some of the city’s densest residential and commercial areas, as well as by mass transit points like the ferry, PATH and light rail– and called on Gov. Chris Christie to file an intervener with FERC before the October 31 deadline.

Healy also called into question the “disrespectful” double-standards in Spectra’s proposal, which would push gas through Jersey City at 1,200 lbs per square inch, yet reduce that rate to 350 lbs per square inch once it reaches New York City.

“They get the benefit with the reduced risk,” he said. “It’s outrageous.”

Alongside Healy was Emergency Management and Homeland Security director Sergeant W. Greg Kierce and Bob Cotter, the director of City Planning, who expounded on the city’s concerns.

Kierce noted that the federal Department of Homeland Security has “identified Tier 1 and Tier 2 threats” in the city such as the PATH, light rail, Holland Tunnel and the New Jersey Turnpike that will be at risk due to the pipeline.

“These are part of the regional planning for evacuation,” he said. “An explosion may cut off these exit routes.”

Kierce also said Spectra, in its federal filings, has painted a sunny — though not necessarily accurate — safety assessment.

“Spectra has been more speculative than factual,” he said. “It’s a recipe for disaster.”

But Spectra spokeswoman Marylee Hanley says the company is working with local government and advocates to make sure the pipeline will be safe, pointing to the “more than 300 meetings” that have been held thus far.

“We are committed to building one of the safest natural gas pipelines in the country and have demonstrated that by the numerous safety enhancements we have made that exceed federal requirements,” she says. “Our goal continues to be an open dialogue with Mayor Healy and other local officials to ensure public safety, create jobs and deliver affordable, clean and domestic natural gas to New Jersey and New York.”

But at yesterday’s press conference, Cotter highlighted what he considered to be the inevitable negative economic consequences of the pipeline, including devaluing property and driving away potential investors.

Describing the city’s economic growth since 1980, in particular the resurgence of development Downtown, as a “remarkable turnaround,” Cotter said much of the rest of the city is now following suit but would suffer if the pipeline is approved.

“Spectra can’t see the future of the city,” he said, projecting the city would lose $26 million in tax revenue based on current and proposed projects. The city also estimates that 11,141 jobs would be “lost” due to the loss of development if the pipeline were to be constructed.

In FERC’s draft Environmental Impact Statement, released in September, the commission suggested the biggest environmental impact would likely occur during the construction of the pipeline. The findings also said safety issues were adequately addressed.

“We have reviewed FERC’s Environmental Impact Statement and feel that our repeated safety, environmental and economic development concerns have been ignored, including detailed filings the city submitted in June,” Mayor Healy said in a prepared statement made available yesterday. “We want FERC to fully consider the alternative routes for this project and to recognize the severe public safety risk associated with running this pipeline through a city as dense as Jersey City.”

The administration also released a public service announcement video (see below) as part of its press conference yesterday, making much the same case as the mayor did in person. There is a public meeting on the FERC report on Wednesday, October 19 at 7 pm, at Ferris High School in Jersey City (35 Colgate Street).

Mayor Healy speaks at today’s press conference; he is surrounded by members of the Jersey City Parks Coalition and a number of city agencies.

On this year’s Make a Difference Day, the Jersey City Parks Coalition, several city agencies and scores of volunteers plan to plant 17,000 daffodils and tulips at 80 locations throughout the city, the groups announced at a press conference today.

This is the first citywide event for the Parks Coalition, which has already established community gardens in 10 of its 14 member parks and led spring plantings in many of the city’s parks.

“We really saw this as a way of making a difference in our community by planting bulbs that bloom in the spring, yielding colorful flowers in our parks and at our gateways,” Big Dig project manager Charlene Burke says in a statement. “Participating in an event like this is not only a great way to improve your community, but also helps you meet your neighbors that share a common goal.”

Dozens of city parks, select open spaces, schools, libraries, historic cemeteries and gateways to the city will be blooming in yellows, oranges and reds for April and May 2012 due to the efforts taken this month.

“Planting bulbs in every ward and at prominent and visible entries will hopefully encourage neighbors to take the next step in the Spring of 2012 and develop small community gardens which the city is encouraging through our ‘Adopt-A-Lot’ program and our ’365 Days of Green’ program,” Mayor Healy says in a statement. “We encourage residents to come out and support this event and in the days following to continue to help make Jersey City a greener city.”

The Big Dig event will take place Saturday, October 22 at a number of city locations. Volunteers and donors are still needed for the planting day; for more information, call Burke at 201-344-2060 or Laura Skolar at 201-259-1800.

- Combined Sewer System: The federal Environmental Protection Agency says there are 224 places in New Jersey, including 21 in Jersey City, where partially treated or raw sewage pours directly into streams, rivers or the ocean during heavy rain, polluting the water with bacteria and posing a public health risk.

- Panepinto Deal on Central Avenue: Powerful developer and former head of the Hudson County Democratic Party Joe Panepinto has a lucrative land deal with the Jersey City Parking Authority, leasing half a city block the agency owns on Central Avenue for only $16,600 annually. UPDATE: This story no longer appears to be online. We’ll replace the link if/when the Journal reposts.

- Washington Commons Developer Suing City: The developer of a the Washington Commons condo building is suing the city in federal court, accusing officials of trying to force him to hand over seven residential units for a dollar a piece.

- Autistic Kid Reportedly Left Alone Outside School: A teachers aide at Frank R. Conwell Middle School 4 left an autistic seventh grade boy alone outside the school for more than an hour on Friday, according to Delia Smith, the boy’s mother.

- ‘Untitled Jersey City Project’: MediaPost has more details on Audi’s involvement in the new Untitled Jersey City Project show.

- JC Teen Plans to Sue NYC After High Line Fall: An 18-year-old Jersey City man plans to sue New York City for $2.5 million after he fell 14 feet while scaling a fence earlier this year after city workers locked him inside the High Line park.

- Library Hours: The Jersey City Free Public Library has revised its Saturday schedule for the fall and winter months.

Today’s Best Bet:

- The Gary Smolyan Trio performs a free concert as part of the Great Performers Series at NJCU (7:30 pm).

In Statewide News:

- Democrats’ Economic Bills: A bill to be considered by the New Jersey Senate today would create a program to grant small businesses low-interest loans of up to $250,000, provided they increase their workforce by 10 percent, or one employee. The bill is one of several before the Senate that are part of the Democratic package designed to boost the economy, which includes legislation that would create a program to help transit hubs, give tax breaks to film and television companies and provide tax deductions for investors who back companies in urban enterprise zones.

- Christie & the White House: A determined cadre of Republican donors is casting wishful eyes on Gov. Christie in an 11th-hour push to persuade the former prosecutor to enter the 2012 presidential race.

- Our Commutes: New Jersey commuters spent more time in the car and on the bus or train getting to work in 2009 than any other place in the country, according to U.S. Census data.

- Hospital Sale Bill: Two key Democratic lawmakers are planning to strengthen a law that requires the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office to oversee the transfer of non-profit hospitals.

- Juvenile Justice System: New Jersey courts have made great strides in eliminating racial bias in recent years, but more guidance is still needed to help minorities navigate the complex legal system, a report to the judiciary says.

- Mistrial in Murder Case: The murder trial of the Jersey City man accused of killing a Jersey City father of four ended in a mistrial yesterday when the jury could not reach a verdict.

- NJ Hero Award: Jersey City resident David McCauley has been named a NJ Hero for October 2011 for creating the Rise Up To Cure Paralysis Foundation. McCauley was paralyzed from a diving accident.

- ‘Next Great Baker’ at the Loew’s: The second-season finale of Next Great Baker, a spin-off of TLC’s popular reality TV show The Cake Boss, was taped yesterday afternoon at the Landmark Loew’s Jersey Theatre in Journal Square.

- Hoboken Hospital Sale: Gov. Christie says he would pledge $5 million in state funds to jump start bankrupcty negotiations key to the sale of Hoboken University Medical Center to the ownership group of Bayonne Medical Center.

- Meet-and-Greet: The Jersey City Elks Lodge 211 is inviting the public to meet firefighters, police officers, and emergency medical service workers up close and personal tomorrow from 1 to 3 p.m. at the St. Nicholas Church parking lot

- Crime Blotter: Police believe the same culprits are to blame for the robberies of two people in separate incidents on Broadway on Wednesday between 8:45 and 10 pm.

In Statewide News:

- Irene $: Officials on Thursday announced nearly $10 million in federal grants to aid New Jersey’s recovery from Hurricane Irene.

- Education: The recommendation is tucked deep into the report commissioned by Gov. Christie, one of nearly 50 suggestions to ease the red tape tying up public schools. But it may be one of the more significant or provocative recommendations made by the Education Transformation Task Force: rethink New Jersey’s decade-old requirement that its teachers rack up 100 hours of professional development every five years.

- Trans-Hudson Rail: Amtrak stands to gain $15 million for preliminary engineering of two new Hudson River rail tunnels next year under a bill approved by the Senate Appropriations Committee.

- Carl Lewis: A federal appeals panel has reversed itself and decided that former Olympic track and field star Carl Lewis will not be on the ballot for state Senate after all.

- Smog: Four New Jersey metropolitan areas had enough unhealthy smog days in 2010 to land in the top 20 among American regions with the worst air pollution, according to a new study released Wednesday by the group Environment New Jersey.

- Electric Vehicles: New Jersey is taking some small steps toward building a network of charging stations for plug-in electric vehicles throughout the Mid-Atlantic region, joining 10 other states and the District of Columbia in the an effort to come up with a development plan.

- Vets & Construction Jobs: A program that connects military veterans with construction jobs is getting a boost from a state grant.

“Instead of driving, walk your kids to school; take a train or bus; ride a bike; bring a brown-bag lunch; work from home; [or] carpool or vanpool,” the agency suggests.

“[The day] is a chance to spread the word about the impact that cars can have on our environment,” the TMA says, and it “also provides a great opportunity to explore other options by using alternate modes of transportation.”

To get residents to pledge to go car free, Hudson TMA will raffle off four free tickets to Liberty Science Center, but you have to register via its website to be eligible.

- Murder Suspect Arrested: A 19-year-old Jersey City man on the run since July when he allegedly killed a man with three gunshots to the back was arrested yesterday in a Grant Avenue building during an early morning raid by city, county and federal law enforcement.

- Any Day Parade: The much-loved and now defunct Jersey City band played a special semi-private reunion gig Friday night at 58 Gallery; Dislocations was there.

- Elwell Trial: Lawyers for former Secaucus Mayor Dennis Elwell, who was convicted by a jury in July on a bribery charge, argued in federal court in Newark yesterday that he should be acquitted of that charge or be afforded a new trial because of prosecutorial misconduct and other issues.

- Pit Bull Shooting: The Jersey City man whose dog was shot dead by police when it allegedly lunged at an officer Sunday in the Heights was ordered held without bail when he made his first appearance on the charges yesterday.

Today’s Best Bets:

- There’s a free screening of the documentary Talking Through Walls at St. Peter’s College (6 pm); the Just Add Laughs comedy open mic night at Made with Love (7 pm); and live music from Jim Testa and the Milwaukees’ Dylan Clark at Lucky 7′s (8 pm).

In Statewide News:

- Disability Pensions: Some officials say that a wave of disability pensions for police and firefighters has swelled since the state Supreme Court loosened standards for the cases in 2007 and 2008 decisions. If nothing is done to stem the tide, they could destabilize the pensions for police and firefighters despite recent reforms.

- Environment: A state Senate panel yesterday took a step toward blocking the Christie administration’s controversial plan to allow businesses, towns and residents to bypass state environmental regulations.

- Teacher Tenure: The Democrats’ leading bill to change teacher tenure in New Jersey is unlikely to get another public viewing until after the election, but its chief sponsor has begun a series of private meetings to fine-tune and amend the controversial measure.

- Christie’s Ethics Bills: Gov. Christie is urging the Democratic-controlled Legislature to act on ethics legislation he has proposed last September.

- School Lunch Scandal in Elizabeth: The president of the Elizabeth Board of Education and the spouses of two other school officials were arrested yesterday on charges of cheating the federal school lunch program to get free or reduced-cost meals for their children — in one case for six years.

- Sunshine Law: The Senate is pushing a revamped bill to overhaul the state Sunshine Law, key lawmakers say.

- Prostitution: A Senate panel has approved a bill that would automatically spare minors from criminal prosecution if they’re caught engaging in prostitution.

This map shows an overview of the pipeline project; for a more detailed look at the proposed pipeline’s path through Jersey City, click here.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has announced the dates and locations of four public meetings on the draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) that it issued earlier this month regarding Spectra Energy’s proposed natural gas pipeline that would run through Jersey City.

The draft EIS assesses the potential environmental effects of the construction and operation of the project; it says the proposed pipeline “would not result in significant impacts” to the environment.

“We have concluded that the Project would be an environmentally acceptable action,” FERC writes in the executive summary to the lengthy EIS.

In addition to written comments on the EIS, which are due by October 31, the public is invited to give its opinion on the document at the four meetings:

• Monday October 17 at 7 pm: PS 44 in Staten Island (80 Maple Parkway)
• Tuesday October 18 at 7 pm: Knights of Columbus Hall in Bayonne (669 Avenue C)
• Wednesday October 19 at 7 pm: Ferris High School in Jersey City (35 Colgate Street)
• Thursday October 20 at 7 pm: PS 41 in Manhattan (116 West 11th Street)

“Interested groups and individuals are encouraged to attend the public comment meetings and present oral comments on the draft EIS,” the agency says in an announcement. “A transcript of the meetings will be prepared and submitted to the docket for public review.”

FERC says it expects to have “numerous attendees and speakers” at the meetings and thus it may end up limiting oral testimony to 5 minutes or less per person.

“Therefore, we request you structure your comments so that they are as specific and concise as possible. This will allow us to accommodate all who are interested in speaking,” the agency notes. “If you would prefer, you may submit written comments at the public meeting or directly to the FERC docket at your convenience. Oral comments will not receive greater attention than written comments. We will address oral and written comments equally.”

The administration says that, while it is still “adamantly opposed” to the controversial pipeline, doing so may keep the pipeline route from going through environmentally sensitive areas and could even help its federal fight against the company. But several council members say the move would simply give the energy giant — which already has a huge monetary advantage in its fight against the city and anti-pipeline activists — another huge advantage. The council’s outcry of protest led the administration to table the resolution that would have allowed Spectra access until the lawyer representing the city can better explain the rationale for permission.

The resolution would have been a “licensing agreement to commit Spectra to come into various places throughout the city to do environment and soil testing,” according to Healy chief of staff Rosemary McFadden, who briefed council members on the proposal at Monday’s caucus meeting. She added that the city is still engaged in its fight with Spectra, and that the administration remains “adamantly opposed” to the pipeline.

The resolution would have charged Spectra with the cost of hiring Boswell Engineering, a firm the city has been working with against the pipeline, to perform independent monitoring and to review reports put forward by the energy company. Other requirements would include charging the company for liability insurance and storage and disposal of any hazardous materials.
 
“We believe that granting approval ahead of time will indicate that there are areas of city where the pipeline really can’t be laid because of soil contamination and geological considerations,” McFadden added, suggesting that allowing the engineers to do testing now could possibly help the city fight Spectra’s federal application to build the pipeline. “If, as a result of the environmental testing, they find areas of the city where the engineers say it’s not appropriate to build the pipeline here because of soil conditions, that may help our case.”

But several council members were not convinced.

“Giving Spectra access is a major move, because they’re on a timetable,” Ward E councilman Steven Fulop said. ”Allowing them access to streets is moving it along on their behalf. There’s no other way to say that.”
 
At-Large councilman Ray Velazquez agreed, saying that “if we have no legal obligation to do this, then we shouldn’t.”

If Spectra’s pipeline is approved, they will ultimately be allowed this access, a point that was made Monday by McFadden. But the council members that derailed the resolution (for now, at least) said they’d rather wait for the feds to force the city’s hand, if it comes to that.

“It is in the best interest of the city and residents to let it play out its course,” Fulop said. “If the federal government forces us to allow them access then we cross that bridge at that point.”
 
With the resolution withdrawn for now, corporation counsel Bill Matsikoudis said the city would get the attorney representing it on the pipeline to craft an explanation as to why allowing the company access is “in our interest.”

The access fight comes just days after the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) issued its draft environmental impact statement (EIS) regarding the pipeline, saying it “would not result in significant impacts” to the environment.

“We have concluded that the Project would be an environmentally acceptable action,” FERC writes in the executive summary to the lengthy EIS.

Written comments on the EIS are due by October 31, and FERC says it will conduct four public meetings on the document as well (the dates, times and locations are not yet available). After the October 31, FERC will review the comments and issue a final EIS early next year.

Photo: Steve Gold

The NJ Sierra Club is skeptical of the plan, pointing out that “the lease is very open-ended and seems to give more rights to the potential operator over the public,” with the end result being “restricted access, higher prices, and more commercial development at Liberty State Park.”

The Sierra Club says it is “also concerned that there are very few limits on the type of commercial uses at the facility,” painting a nightmare scenario where the park “becomes a smaller version of the South Street Seaport,” featuring “a chain restaurant like Applebees with a Ripley’s Believe It or Not, arcade, indoor shops, or other types of commercial operations next door.”

Lastly, the group is concerned that companies may charge exorbitant prices for services provided on-site.

“There is no guarantee there will be affordable access for state residents to these facilities and services,” the NJ Sierra Club says in a statement. “This land belongs to all of us and is held in the public trust.”

But the Friends of Liberty State Park (FOLSP), which often stands shoulder-to-shoulder with the Sierra Club on park issues, says the DEP’s plan makes sense.

“The Friends of Liberty State Park supports this RFP for concessionaire and events management services at the CRRNJ Terminal because it is being done with respect for LSP’s mission and will protect public access,” FOLSP president Sam Pesin says. “There has always been a park concessionaire and this expansion of opportunities is to raise needed revenue and primarily involves appropriate uses such as evening weddings and other events after park hours in the terminal, and some corporate daytime uses of upstairs rooms. The DEP has reserved the right to disapprove of any event and the Friends will be give input on any out of the ordinary events.”

Pesin says he’s glad the Sierra Club has been part of past “anti-commercialization and privatization battles” against golf courses and water parks at the park, but that the group should have contacted the park advocates on the ground before speaking out against the latest proposal.

“[The NJ Sierra Club] is wrong to oppose this sensible terminal uses plan, and its director should have contacted the Friends before putting out a press release,” Pesin says.

The Liberty State Park RFP is the latest effort by the administration to turn over certain functions at state-owned facilities to the private sector. Since Gov. Chris Christie took office, the administration has turned over boat rentals at Island State Park to the private sector, as well as state-owned golf courses in Monmouth and Gloucester counties. It also has proposed allowing state forest lands to be cleared of timber, a move that has been put on hold.

With state parks facing a perennial funding crisis, the Christie administration has suggested that privatizing certain functions at the facilities could solve the problem. If a privatization task force appointed by Christie gets its way, the same fate may await Liberty State Park, Island Beach State Park, Wharton State Forest and other jewels of New Jersey’s park system. The task force suggested turning concessions over to the private sector, a step that could save the state anywhere from $6 million to $8.2 million.

In a press release, the DEP depicts the effort as part of an ongoing push to improve services and enhance revenues at all state parks, fulfilling a pledge by Christie to keep all parks open despite budget problems.

“Running the state park system is an enormous and expensive challenge, requiring the DEP to operate a myriad of highly diverse facilities that must be properly maintained and safeguarded for use by our residents,” DEP commissioner Bob Martin says in a statement. “We are looking to increase sustainable funding for our system by better utilizing some of our remarkable spaces, and Liberty State Park is an exceptional example of that.”

The initial term for the management agreement at Liberty State Park will be 10 years, with a five-year renewal option. The successful bidder will be responsible for day-to-day operations of food, beverage and concession sales and catering and events management services, and it will pay the state a fixed annual fee, increased annually, plus a percentage of its annual gross revenue earned from park operations.

A mandatory bidders meeting will be held at the CRRNJ Terminal at Liberty State Park on Thursday, September 15 at 11 am. The deadline for submitting proposals is September 29.

Tom Johnson of our media partner NJ Spotlight contributed to this report.

Photo: Department of Environmental Protection