UPDATE: Company: Will Prosecute 2 Locked in Container Blocking Pipeline Construction

Two people have locked themselves into a renewable-energy powered, 20-ft recycled shipping-container home at a Spectra Energy work site, directly on the route of the Algonquin Pipeline expansion project.

The move comes four days after 21 people were arrested for blockading the entrance to an Algonquin Incremental Market pipeline project work site.

They plan to stay inside the container blockade for as long as possible, said a spokesman for Resist AIM.

The company's reaction was clear.

Algonquin Gas Transmission respects the right of individuals to peacefully protest and express their positions. We continue to implore peaceful protestors not to place themselves in an unsafe situation. We do not condone actions that directly interfere with Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) authorized activities for the Algonquin Incremental Market (AIM) Project. Further, we do not condone actions that take critical public safety first responders away from their duties, thus placing citizens dependent on their assistance at risk.

Our pipelines provide a major source of energy for the nation, and it is our obligation to safely and securely operate these facilities. We can neither tolerate nor allow unauthorized individuals from entering onto company property – that is trespassing. Trespassing is not acceptable, and we will prosecute.

Activists said the container home was built using reclaimed and recycled materials, is powered by both photovoltaic solar panels and a bicycle generator, has a green roof growing succulents and herbs, has a solar-heated shower and a compost toilet, and comfortable living space and beds for two occupants.

The sustainable home has two occupants, both of whom walked across the entire country to raise awareness about climate change as part of the Great March for Climate: Jane Kendall is a 65-year-old retired New York mother of two; and Lee Stewart is a 29-year-old organizer with Beyond Extreme Energy, who has been working against the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission since they approved a fracked gas compressor station near his home as part of project that would feed Dominion’s Cove Point LNG export facility.

Opponents of Spectra Energy's plans to expand and extend the Algonquin Pipeline have accused federal officials of being a "rubber stamp" for the oil and gas industry.

The Algonquin natural gas pipeline owned by Spectra Energy runs through Rockland, Westchester and Putnam counties on its way to New England. Spectra’s plan to enlarge the pipeline includes three projects so far.

The AIM Project involves the construction, installation, operation, and maintenance of 37.4 miles of pipeline and related facilities in New York, Connecticut, and Massachusetts. Most of the pipeline installation will replace existing pipeline with larger diameter pipeline.

Atlantic Bridge includes replacement of another 10.9 miles of existing pipeline with new larger diameter pipe.

Access Northeast includes the expansion of approximately 125 miles of the existing Algonquin pipeline system, plus new lines and facilities, including a new Liquified Natural Gas Storage Facility in Acushnet, Massachusetts.

RELATED:

• Pipeline Project Making Progress Under the Hudson
• Pipeline Foes Step Up Protest Blockades in Cortlandt
• Algonquin Pipeline Foes File Appeal

This is a breaking news story; return to Patch for updates.