To: New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP)
From: Members, supporters, and friends of the New Jersey Buddhist Vihara & Meditation Center (NJBV)

We, the undersigned, strongly urge the NJDEP to deny all permits requested by Williams/Transco (W/T) under the Northeast Supply Enhancement (NESE) Project, specifically the proposed Compressor Station 206 (CS 206), which would be built right next to our sacred and peaceful temple.

The New Jersey Buddhist Vihara & Meditation Center (NJBV), located on a 9-acre wooded sanctuary in Franklin Township, is not just a place of worship. It is a cultural and spiritual home for Buddhists, Hindus, Christians, and people from all walks of life. It is also the site of the largest outdoor Samadhi Buddha statue in the Western Hemisphere, recognized as a Cultural Landmark by Franklin Township since 2017.

The proposed CS 206 would be located just one-quarter mile from our temple—endangering our health, safety, spiritual practice, and the environment. This project poses a serious and unacceptable risk to a vulnerable community and sacred space.

Why We Oppose the NESE Project and CS 206:

🔴 Health Risks to Children: Our Dhamma School serves many young students who gather on weekends. Exposure to air pollutants from compressor station emissions is a serious concern for their health and well-being.

🔴 Damage to the Buddha Statue: The statue already shows cracks—believed to be from quarry blasting nearby. Construction and vibration from CS 206 could cause irreversible damage.

🔴 Disruption to Spiritual Practice: Meditation is core to our religious tradition. Industrial noise from blowdowns (as loud as jet engines) and toxic emissions would make peaceful reflection impossible.

🔴 Explosion & Fire Danger: A facility with aging pipelines, dense nearby woods, and limited fire infrastructure is a clear safety threat to the temple, monks’ residence, and the local community.

🔴 Environmental & Cultural Injustice: The NJBV is a recognized Cultural Landmark and a public spiritual resource. Locating a dangerous industrial facility right next door shows a shocking lack of respect for religious and cultural communities.

We chose this property for its serenity and natural beauty—both of which are now under threat. This is not just about one temple—it’s about protecting sacred spaces, children’s health, and New Jersey’s environmental future.

Please stand with us and sign this petition to urge the NJDEP to reject all permits for Compressor Station 206. Please help us preserve peace, safety, and spiritual freedom for generations to come.

🙏🏾 Thank you.
— The New Jersey Buddhist Vihara & Meditation Center Community