Assemblywoman Galef joins Constituents and Elected Officials to Thank Governor Cuomo for Requesting that AIM be Investigated

Assemblywoman Sandy Galef held a press conference this morning to thank Governor Cuomo for his recent letter to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) requesting that construction on the Algonquin Incremental Market (AIM) Pipeline be halted until New York State can conduct an independent risk analysis of the AIM project and its proximity to the Indian Point Energy Center. Also in attendance were Assemblyman David Buchwald, Mayor Theresa Knickerbocker of Buchanan, Town Supervisor of Ossining Dana Levenberg, Kathleen Talbot of the Peekskill City Council, and Susan Van Dolsen of Stop the Algonquin Pipeline Expansion, and others.

The elected officials signed a letter addressed to FERC officials in support of Governor Cuomo’s letter, and echoing the need for an independent risk assessment.

Assemblywoman Sandy Galef (95 AD) said, “I am thankful for the Governor’s decision to conduct an Independent Safety Assessment of the project and concern for the protection of the health and livelihoods of my constituents. As an elected official representing the area surrounding Indian Point and the proposed path of the AIM Pipeline, I know how important independent analyses and second opinions can be, especially in circumstances in which two large energy production systems are intersecting. Safety must be the top on our list as any project is considered or advanced.”

Assemblyman David Buchwald (93 AD) said, “With this proposed high-pressure natural gas pipeline just 1,200 feet from Indian Point’s Unit 3 reactor, not to mention the close proximity to schools and residential properties, an independent safety assessment must be completed to ensure the public’s safety should anything go wrong. I would like to thank Governor Cuomo for asking the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to halt the construction of the Algonquin Pipeline expansion project until this review is completed.”

Catherine Borgia (Majority Leader, Westchester County Board of Legislators) said, “Governor Cuomo’s actions are welcomed by the residents immediately impacted by the pipeline but even more that would be endangered should something unanticipated happen at Indian Point. The Board of Legislators has called for additional health and safety studies, which were ignored by FERC and the NRC, for some time and we’re thankful the Governor has seen the issue the same way. We believe the science is clear that any unforeseen incident at Indian Point would be multiplied with a gas pipeline in a short proximity."

Susan Van Dolsen, Cofounder of Stop the Algonquin Pipeline Expansion said, "We're relieved and grateful that Governor Cuomo recognized that construction of the Spectra AIM pipeline at Indian Point must be halted. By directing his administration to conduct an independent risk assessment, he is fulfilling his primary obligation to protect the health and safety of his constituents and the 20 million people in the entire region. Now it is time for the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to finally heed the urgent calls of the public and elected officials at all levels of government. Construction of this dangerously sited pipeline must be halted immediately."