This executive
order has been rescinded by Order No. 13
(Whitman).
WHEREAS, a
natural gas transmission pipeline located in the Township of Edison,
County of Middlesex, exploded on or about midnight on March 24,
1994; and
WHEREAS, it
has been reported that an approximately 150-foot fire stream erupted
from the pipeline following the explosion which caused the destruction
of nine buildings in the Durham Woods Apartment Complex; and
WHEREAS, it
has been reported that hundreds of residents residing in a one-quarter
mile area of the scene were evacuated; and
WHEREAS, an
investigation is underway to ascertain the cause of such explosion
and the extent of fatalities and/or personal injury, if any, as
well as additional property damage; and
WHEREAS, until
the results of said investigation are known, we must take every
precaution to ensure that similar pipeline failures do not occur;
and
WHEREAS, the
conditions caused by the explosion and fire pose a threat and constitute
a disaster which threatens and presently endangers the health, safety
or resources of the residents of Edison Township, which threat and
endangerment may be too large in scope to be handled in its entirety
by the normal county and municipal operating services; and
WHEREAS, the
Constitution and Statutes of the State of New Jersey, particularly,
but not limited to, the provisions of the Laws of 1942, Chapter
251 (N.J.S.A. App: A:9-33 et seq.) and the Laws of 1963, Chapter
109 (N.J.S.A. 38A:2-4) and all amendments and supplements thereto,
confer upon the Governor of the State of New Jersey certain emergency
powers;
NOW, THEREFORE,
I, CHRISTINE TODD WHITMAN, Governor of the State of New Jersey,
in order to protect the health, safety and welfare of the people
of the State of New Jersey do declare and proclaim:
1. A State
of Emergency has and presently exists in this State.
2. The Acting
Superintendent of the Division of State Police shall provide State
Troopers and other personnel assigned to the Division of State
Police, in such numbers as he deems necessary to protect the health,
safety and resources of the residents of the Township of Edison
and the State of New Jersey.
3. The Superintendent
of the Division of State Police is further authorized and empowered
to utilize all facilities owned, rented, operated and maintained
by the State of New Jersey to house and shelter persons who may
need to be evacuated from their residences during the course of
this emergency.
4. The Superintendent
of the Division of State Police is hereby authorized to order
the evacuation of all persons, except for those emergency and
governmental personnel whose presence he deems necessary, from
any area where their continued presence would present a danger
to their health, safety or welfare because of the conditions created
by this emergency.
5. The Department
heads of the various agencies of State Government who are called
upon to provide assistance during this State of Emergency shall
lend their assistance and take appropriate action to ensure the
protection of the health, safety and resources of the residents
of the Township of Edison and the State of New Jersey, due to
this emergency.
6. Until
the results of the investigation are known, all natural gas suppliers
having gas transmission lines in this State shall reduce transmission
pipeline pressure by five (5) percent of the Maximum Available
Operating Pressure (MAOP) and coordinate said reduction with gas
distribution entities to ensure the safety of all customers and
continuity of service. The Commissioner of the Department of Environmental
Protection and Energy and President of the Board of Regulatory
Commissioners shall meet, as soon as practicable, with representatives
of the affected natural gas suppliers and representatives of the
gas utilities doing business in the State to obtain any recommendations
for any adjustments or modifications deemed necessary to this
Paragraph and to ensure its safe implementation.
7. This
Order shall take effect immediately and it shall remain in effect
until such time as it is determined by me that an emergency no
longer exists.
GIVEN,
under my hand and seal
this 25th day of March in the Year
of Our Lord, One Thousand Nine
Hundred and Ninety Four, and of
the Independence of the United
States, the Two Hundred and Eighteenth.
/s/
Christine Todd Whitman
Governor
Attest:
/s/ Peter Verniero
Chief Counsel to the Governor
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