When local utilities merged in the late 1920’s, Public Service Electric and Gas Company (PSE&G) inherited many manufactured gas facilities, one of which being the Morristown Gas Works Site. Formerly known as the Morristown Gas Light Company, gas manufacturing operations were conducted on what is referred to as parcel 3 from approximately 1886 until 1918. The facilities and buildings were later destroyed, and PSE& G was forced to initiate a site clean-up program when pollutants were found below the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection standards. The contaminants were believed to be left over from the former manufacturing facilities, at a time when toxic waste was simply dumped on site.
In September of 1989, the town of Morristown proposed foreclosure of the Goldere Junkyard, located on Coal Avenue. Initially, it was due to non payment of taxes and it was stated that nearly $80,000 was owed to the town in back taxes. Considered one of the areas worst eyesores, both residents and town officials voiced major concerns about the junkyards close proximity to homes and the Whippany River. The town council voted for a “Clean & Lien” operation to remove debris and contaminants. The foreclosure would follow. The environmental consultant, Clean Venture, assessed the site and identified the parcel as a major hazardous waste site. PSE& G owned part of the site and agreed to test for further contaminants due to the process of lighting gas.
In 1985, Algonquin Gas Transmission Comapny and Texas Eastern Transmission Corporation replaced two stationary combustion turbines on the site of the old Hanover Compression Station with safer and more modern equipment. The original unit was not equipped with the proper emissions control technology and, given the demand for the most ecological gas, the proposed changes were greatly needed. The new turbines would have greater capacity and be 17% more fuel efficient than the former turbines and in turn, would lessen the environmental impact.
Sources:Batallas,Tanya;
The collection contains reports detailing the remedial investigations performed by Clean Venture, Langan Engineering and CH2M Hill Inc. for Public Service Electric and Gas Company (PSE&G). Investigations were made in response to the environmental concerns for the former Morristown manufactured gas site and Goldere Junkyard in Morristown. Included are site maps, photographs, analytical data, and work plans for the reconstruction of the affected areas. The bulk of the material spans from 1995-2003. The collection also contains material pertaining to the Hanover Compressor Station Upgrade applied by The Algonquin Gas Transmission Company and Texas Eastern Transmission Corporation. The report details the proposed project as a response to the increased demand for the use of natural gas. The additional material that follows includes maps, photographs, plot plans and permits which better help to understand the necessity for such an upgrade.
This series was arranged in the manner in which it was recieved. It contains reports detailing the remedial and interim workplans for the former Morristown Gas Works Site and is not always in chronological order. The bulk of material that follows are site maps that show proposed excavations and restorations as well as important geographic and geological concerns. Documents include but are not limited to permits, tables, pre and post construction photographs and soil and groundwatering sampling analysis.
This series contains material relating to both the Goldere Junkyard and the Hanover Compressor Station Upgrade. Each are arranged in a similar manner and are not always in chronological order. The reports outline the history, purpose and plans for both the cleanup of the Goldere Junkyard and the upgrade for the Hanover Compression Station. The material that follows are documents pertaining to the pre and post cleanup and construction plans. Documents include but are not limited to correspondence, site maps, photographs, environmental reports, and soil erosion control plans. Included as well is a noise study submitted by Hoover & Keith Inc. in order to meet the applicable sound level standards for the proposed replacement turbines at the Hanover Compression Station.
These records are open to researchers. Records may be copied for use in individual scholarly or personal research, however, as with all materials in the North Jersey History and Genealogy Center researchers are responsible for obtaining copyright permission to use material from the collection. Material in the Morris Area Environmental Action Reports, 1995-2003, may be photocopied, but because this material is a permanent part of the History Center's collections, researchers are advised to photocopy with care, using only the edge copier for bound material.
The Morris Area Environmental Action Reports, 1995-2003 were deposited in the library.
These records have been made publicly available under the New Jersey Open Public Records Act. Passed in 2001 by the New Jersey State Legislature, this Act expands upon an individual's rights for free access to governmental records. Effective on July 7, 2002, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) was required to implement the New Jersey Open Public Records Act, or OPRA. The law states, "government records shall be readily accessible for inspection, copying, or examination by the citizens of this state."
Finding Aid to the Morris Area Environmental Action Reports, 1995-2003. North Jersey History and Genealogy Center, The Morristown and Morris Township Library.
Finding Aid arranged, described and encoded by Samantha Insetta, North Jersey History and Genealogy Center Intern, Spring 2012.