Feds Deny Latest Pipeline Stay Request

The Federal Energy Regulation Commission has rejected the latest attempt by an opponent of the Algonquin Pipeline expansion project to stop the ongoing construction.

According to FERC, "on June 30, 2016, Sue Carrillo, an intervenor in the Algonquin Incremental
Market (AIM) proceeding, filed an Amended Motion to Intervene, in which, among other things, she sought a stay of all construction activity associated with the Algonquin Gas Transmission pipeline. For the reasons discussed below, we will deny the motion for stay."

She focused on the Atlantic Bridge project, but, FERC said, since she specifically requested a stay of construction activities in the vicinity of the Indian Point nuclear facility, they added her request to that file as well.

The commissioners said that they had examined and then twice reviewed the issues concerning the pipeline construction path near Indian Point, relying on the Nuclear Regulatory Commission's analysis.

The AIM Project poses no increased risks to the Indian Point plant, they said. The Commission noted that a 2,159-foot segment of the AIM Project would cross Indian Point’s property, but that it would be located over 1,600 feet from the power plant structures and 2,370 feet from the facility’s protected security barrier around the main facility sites.

"In making this determination, the Commission relied upon the expertise of the NRC, which concluded that even a potential rupture of the AIM pipeline poses no threat to the safe operation of the plant or safe shutdown of the plant...and Ms. Carrillo provides no new evidence that would cause us to reconsider those determinations now."

RELATED:

• FERC Answers Cuomo's Request to Halt Pipeline Expansion
• NRC: Indian Point Safe to Restart
• Pipeline Project Making Progress Under the Hudson
• Algonquin Pipeline Foes File Appeal