Residents, Officials Unnerved by Pipeline Drilling in Cortlandt
Residents and officials in the Town of Cortlandt found another reason last week to hammer away at the gas pipeline expansion project taking place in Verplanck.
Supervisor Linda Puglisi filed an official complaint with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (F.E.R.C.) and Spectra Energy, the company constructing the controversial pipeline, after residents complained of nighttime noise associated with drilling in the Hudson River.
“I am frustrated with the Spectra (A.I.M.) project as are our Cortlandt residents,” Puglisi stated in a press release. “We have no jurisdiction over any of the work being performed. It was all approved by F.E.R.C. I have reported all of our concerns and issues to F.E.R.C. and have requested no more nighttime hammering and that improved notification to our residents must occur.”
In a detailed report of the activities underway, Spectra Energy explained on August 27 Algonquin commenced the pullback of a 42-inch diameter pipeline under the river but it had to be suspended due to some technical issues.
On August 29, Spectra stated Algonquin began notifying officials in Cortlandt and the Village of Buchanan, and on August 30 70 informational flyers were delivered to residents in Verplanck. In addition, Algonquin compensated 18 households for relocation for three days. Another 80 informational flyers were delivered on September 1.
Spectra maintained the contractor spent only 21 minutes on August 30 operating a pneumatic hammer on five different occasions. On September 1, the hammer was utilized again in the nighttime for 90 minutes.
Noise mitigation measures used during the drilling were a low noise air compressor, sound abatement walls and sound blankets installed on fencing close to St. Patrick’s Church.
Spectra stated additional drilling work on the pipeline is scheduled for September 6 through September 16.
The pipeline project was approved by F.E.R.C. in March 2015. Cortlandt has opposed the work, but F.E.R.C. supersedes all local governments. Puglisi is encouraging residents to voice their concerns to Spectra at 1-866-873-2579 and F.E.R.C. at 1-877-337-2237.
Meanwhile, several activists assembled outside a diner in Tarrytown Friday to confront Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino about his relationship with Spectra Energy. Astorino was making an appearance on a local radio show.
“We want to know why Astorino accepted money from Spectra.” explained Lael Morgan of Croton-on-Hudson. Morgan was referring to a $43,600 campaign contribution Charles P. Joyce, CEO of Otis Eastern Services, a business partner of Spectra and a major pipeline manufacturer, donated to Astorino’s political campaign, as reported by The National Institute on Money in State Politics.
Inside the diner, the radio host reportedly asked Astorino about the contributions and he claimed to have no knowledge of it.
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/