Groups, Municipalities Demand Pipeline Hearing Be Reopened
Municipalities, grassroots groups and individuals from four states affected by Spectra Energy’s expansion of the Algonquin natural gas pipeline filed a Request for Rehearing Thursday in response to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s (FERC) widely criticized March 3 approval of the controversial project.
Many local officials and organizations that are part of the coalition joined forces at Cortlandt Town Hall to express their mutual frustration with FERC dismissing virtually of all the concerns raised during a slew of public hearings and siding with Spectra.
“It’s not that we’re against natural gas. We’re not. It’s just the magnitude of this pipeline,” Cortlandt Supervisor Linda Puglisi remarked. “Why do we have to become the energy capital of America? Enough. We have been fighting and opposing the expansion of the Algonquin pipeline for the last two years. The goal is to get them to hear us. We think FERC is just looking at this as ‘What’s the big deal?’ This is a new pipeline.”
Spectra Energy’s project would run from Stony Point, under the Hudson River, through Peekskill, Cortlandt, portions of Yorktown and into Southeast, Connecticut, Rhode Island and Massachusetts. The proposal would remove an existing 26-inch gas pipeline and replace it with a 42-inch one. The gas pressure would also increase by 25%.
Opponents of the pipeline presented FERC with a petition containing more than 26,000 signatures at a public hearing last year in Cortlandt. Many raised concerns about the pipeline, which has been located in the area for more than 50 years without incident, sitting 1,500 feet away from the Indian Point nuclear power plants in Buchanan.
In the 66-page decision, FERC appeared satisfied with the measures Spectra proposed for the pipeline near Indian Point in its FEIS, stating, “The NRC (Nuclear Regulatory Commission) concluded that a breach and explosion of the proposed 42-inch diameter natural gas pipeline would not adversely impact the safe operation of the Indian Point facility.”
“The scale of impact of a ‘Fukushima on the Hudson’ on the New York City area and economy of the United States makes it beyond comprehension why FERC, Homeland Security, the NRC, or any government agency, would even consider putting a pipeline next to Indian Point,” said Susan Van Dolsen, co-founder of Stop the Algonquin Pipeline Expansion (SAPE).
“It’s all about safety and making sure our nuclear plants are run safely,” said state Assemblywoman Sandra Galef (D/Ossining), who called for an independent safety analysis of the pipeline plan. “It’s a new line, closest to a nuclear plant than any other in the country. We don’t want to add an energy project that will jeopardize our lives.”
According to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Pipelines and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, there were 119 incidents in gas transmission pipelines in 2014.
“We need to consider the health and safety of our residents if this project goes awry. Our lives are on the line,” said lifelong Buchanan resident Bernie Vaughey, who chaired the West Point Partners/Spectra-Algonquin Task Force. “FERC’s independence has been questioned for years. Their rationale and numbers don’t add up.”
The environmental risks of the larger pipeline were also emphasized by some officials. FERC made its determination only six weeks after the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) was submitted by Spectra.
“We can’t take any more chances to pollute and destroy our drinking water,” said Yorktown Councilman Vishnu Patel, a retired award-winning IBM scientist. “We want to preserve and protect what we have. There is no warranty or guarantee.”
Other local officials lending their support at last week’s press conference were Peekskill Mayor Frank Catalina and Councilwoman Kathy Talbot, Cortlandt Councilman Seth Freach, Buchanan Mayor Theresa Knickerbocker, Putnam Valley Councilwoman Wendy Whetsel, North Salem Councilwoman Amy Rosmarin and state Assemblyman David Buchwald (D/White Plains).
Knickerbocker noted the pipeline would run dangerously close to Buchanan-Verplanck Elementary School. It would also be in close vicinity to Ben Franklin and Thomas Jefferson elementary schools in the Lakeland School District.
“I don’t know who thought of putting a gas line next to a school. That boggles my mind,” Knickerbocker remarked.
Catalina and Suzannah Glidden, co-founder of SAPE, criticized U.S. Senators Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand for not taking a more active role in challenging FERC, although Van Dolsen noted the senators and Congresswoman Nita Lowey (D/Westchester, Rockland) had stated their concerns about the pipeline expansion in letters to FERC.
Last Thursday was the last day anyone could file a Request for Rehearing. FERC has 30 days to respond to the request. If the request is not granted, the coalition partners may consider taking legal action. Cortlandt has already spent $300,000 opposing the pipeline.
Spectra Energy representatives are scheduled to meet with the Yorktown Town Board during a work session on Tuesday, April 14 at 7:30 p.m.
Rick has more than 40 years’ experience covering local news in Westchester and Putnam counties, running the gamut from politics and crime to sports and human interest. He has been an editor at Examiner Media since 2012. Read more from Rick’s editor-author bio here. Read Rick’s work here: https://www.theexaminernews.com/author/pezzullo_rick-writer/
