Community Pushback Delays $180M Newark Gas Plant Amid Environmental Concern

The Passaic Valley Sewerage Commission (PVSC) has once again postponed final approval for constructing a $180-million gas-fired power plant in Newark, New Jersey, intended as an emergency backup for its wastewater treatment facility near Newark Bay. This decision follows renewed community opposition concerning the project's environmental impact. 

Despite obtaining endorsements from Governor Phil Murphy and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), local residents—particularly from Newark's Ironbound district—have voiced strong objections. They argue that the plant would emit excessive amounts of methane, sulfur, and other pollutants, exacerbating the environmental burden in an area already identified by the state as pollution-affected.

The backup power facility was initially proposed to prevent a recurrence of the 2012 incident when Superstorm Sandy caused flooding that led to a complete power loss at the treatment plant, resulting in untreated sewage spilling into Newark streets and the Passaic River. ​

In response to the opposition, the PVSC has committed to exploring "significant changes in technologies" for the project. However, no specific timeline has been provided for when a new vote or decision will take place. 

This development underscores the ongoing tension between infrastructure resilience initiatives and environmental justice concerns within communities disproportionately affected by industrial pollution.​

Source: Rubin, Debra K. "Local Opposition Again Tables $180M Newark, N.J., Gas Plant." Engineering News-Record, March 25, 2025.