In re Long Branch Manufactured Gas Plant

CHARLES WALSH, J.S.C.

This matter is before the court on a motion by defendants New Jersey Natural Gas Company, New Jersey Resources Corporation, Jersey Central Power & Light Company, and First Energy Corporation (collectively “NJNG” or “defendants”) seeking to quash a deposition subpoena directed to Barbara M. Beck, Ph.D. (“Beck”), an expert in risk assessment and public communications retained by NJNG and its attorneys.1 For the reasons that follow, NJNG’s motion is denied.2

*258I.

According to the plaintiffs’ master complaint, NJNG operated a synthetic coal gasification plant located in Long…