NJ Transit has canceled its Transitgrid project, initially planned to be located in Kearny. The decision, announced in a press release, cited financial infeasibility as the primary reason. The project, developed in response to Superstorm Sandy, aimed to construct a microgrid powered by a natural gas plant to electrify rail lines during power outages. Despite securing a $409.7 million federal grant in 2014, the initiative faced intense scrutiny over its reliance on fossil fuels and its environmental impact.
Significant improvements to the power grid’s resilience, particularly by PSE&G, have rendered Transitgrid less essential. As a result, the $503 million in federal funds initially allocated for Transitgrid will be redirected to support other Sandy-related infrastructure projects. These include the reconstruction of the Raritan River Bridge, the Long Slip Fill projects in Hoboken for enhanced train storage, and the development of the Delco lead storage and inspection facility.
Although Transitgrid was intended to enhance the resiliency of New Jersey’s transportation system and provide union jobs, it encountered stiff opposition from environmental advocates and public criticism, particularly during NJ Transit’s public meetings. The project’s potential environmental impact and the pace of its procurement process were major concerns, prompting a reconsideration of its energy strategy. NJ Transit, recognizing the strengthened state power grid and the shift in infrastructural priorities, decided to reallocate the funds to other critical projects, aligning with New Jersey’s broader objectives for clean energy and infrastructure resilience.