Lawmakers to Discuss Independent Report on Impact of Proposed Gas Pipeline Expansion in Westchester Park

The Westchester County Board of Legislators’ Labor, Parks, Planning & Housing Committee will meet at 9:15 a.m. Jan. 14 to receive and discuss a new, independent environmental assessment of potential impacts to Blue Mountain Reservation from the proposed expansion of the current Spectra gas pipeline easement.

Dr. Erik Kiviat from the non-profit institute Hudsonia, the author of the report, and environmental lawyer John Parker will present the report to the lawmakers.

The committee is chaired by Legislator Pete Harckham (D-North Salem).

In a press release, Harckham noted that lawmakers had sent a request to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission asking for Spectra to furnish a Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) regarding the project, since the corporation’s initial Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) did not adequately address the pipeline expansion’s possible short- and long-term effects at Blue Mountain.

In December, several BOL members visited the Blue Mountain Reservation in Cortlandt to see the probable impact area from the expansion project proposed by the Texas-based Spectra Gas Corporation for its Algonquin natural gas pipeline.

The major construction project would replace some of the company’s existing 26-inch diameter pipe for pressurized gas with new 42-inch pipe from Rockland County to Massachusetts via Rockland County, northern Westchester and Putnam County.

Related articles:

• Gas Pipeline Project Through Yorktown, Somers Sparks Area Forums
• Westchester BOL Committee Members Troubled by Possible Environmental Impact from Pipeline Expansion on County’s Blue Mountain Reservation
• Officials, Citizens Demand Better Environmental Impact Statement for Pipeline
• Spectra Responds to Comments on the Algonquin Pipeline Proposal
• Groups from Cortlandt to Massachusetts Plan Protests Against Pipeline Expansion

The meeting will be held in the 8th Floor Committee Room of the Michaelian Office Building, 148 Martine Avenue, White Plains, NY.