Nyack Lawmaker's Concerns about Pipeline Project Backed by Rockland County Legislature

As today’s deadline approached for comments on the Algonquin natural gas pipeline expansion proposed by Spectra Energy, written comments have poured into the Federal Energy Regulation Commission.

The pipeline would run through Rockland, Westchester and Putnam counties on its way to New England.

In addition, new or expanded compression, metering and regulating stations would be built, leading to local emissions of methane and air contaminants.

The FERC staff have already reviewed the draft environmental impact statement on the project and stated that problems would be minimal following Spectra’s proposed mitigation efforts.

Most commenters have expressed concerns about the project’s temporary disruption of the neighborhoods it digs through and permanent danger to the residences and businesses it passes near—including the Indian Point nuclear power plants.

Many have also argued that in fact the DEIS is flawed and incomplete. And they questioned FERC’s willingness to allow Spectra to submit some documents and analysis after the public comment period for the DEIS ends.

They’ve also questioned the process. Particularly they have pointed out the way in which Spectra has separated its Algonquin and Atlantic Bridge projects, even though both are about expanding the same pipeline through Rockland, Westchester, Putnam counties in New York and on into Connecticut to New England markets and ports for export abroad.

Rockland County Legislator Harriet Cornell (Clarkstown, Nyack) recently urged federal and state regulatory agencies to require comprehensive environmental, health and safety assessments and mitigation in regard to the proposal by Houston-based Spectra Energy to enlarge its Algonquin pipeline. Her resolution was approved unanimously by the Rockland County legislature.

In its latest filing with FERC, the group Stop the Algonquin Pipeline Expansion (SAPE) noted that:

“To date, the list of politicians that have signed-on to that letter requesting additional time to review and comment on the DEIS includes, but is not limited to: New York State Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins; New York State Senator George Latimer; Assemblyman Tom Abinanti; Assemblyman David Buchwald; Assemblywoman Sandy Galef; Assemblywoman Shelley Mayer; Assemblyman Steve Otis; Westchester Legislator Catherine Borgia; Westchester Legislator Peter Harckham; Westchester Legislator Michael Kaplowitz; Westchester Legislator Catherine Parker; Westchester Legislator MaryJane Shimsky; Westchester Legislator Lyndon Williams; Putnam Legislator Carl Albano; Putnam Legislator Sam Oliverio Rockland Legislator Harriet Cornell; Buchanan Mayor Theresa Knickerbocker; Cortlandt Town Supervisor Linda Puglisi; Peekskill Mayor Frank Catalina; Buchanan Town Board Member Duane Jackson; Cortlandt Town Board Member Debbie Costello; Cortlandt Town Board Member Seth Freach; Peekskill City Council Member Drew Claxton; Peekskill City Council Member Kathleen Talbot; Peekskill City Council Member Vinnie Vesce; North Salem Town Board Member Amy Rosmarin; Ossining Town Board Member Victoria Gearity; Yorktown Town Board Member Nick Bianco; Yorktown Town Board Member Visnu Patel.”

Members of Keep Yorktown Safe have been documenting their filings on their Facebook page.

Spectra Energy’s Algonquin Incremental Market (AIM) Project is FERC Docket #CP14-96-000.