PER still requires authorizations from the US Coast Guard, the Army Corps of Engineers, State Department of Environmental Protection and the New York State Public Service Commission.
Gary La Pelusa, Bayonne Planning Board member, said “I think it’s good for Bayonne because it’s going to create 300 union jobs for construction, 10 long-terms jobs, over a million dollars in property tax and close to a million in water revenue.”
Paul A. Barnett, PER’s managing director, stated that the proposed plant can reach full capacity in 10 minutes of start-up, which will enable it to cycle on and off as required, decreasing fuel emissions and costs.
Regarding sound, PER pursued and was given a variance to the noise wall needs, which require a 12-foot maximum height. The authorized variance enables PER to wait six months following construction prior to building the wall to more precisely evaluate the actual sound level, and then construct sound walls over 12 feet high if required.
The board also authorized a variance permitting the project to proceed in spite of the lack of frontage property, signifying that it does not directly touch a road.
The energy center authorization came with a few stipulations. The city needs developers to plant trees alongside frontage property, however since there is on trees, PER decided to plant trees or offer funds for trees to be planted in other parts of Bayonne. To avoid a state prerequisite for public waterfront access that will be hazardous at the site, PER will make a considerable contribution for a waterfront access in some other part of the city.
