Pipeline Foes Stage Die-In to Protest Public Health Dangers

Westchester residents staged a dramatic fracked gas die-in Wednesday at the Westchester County Center to highlight the public health dangers associated with Spectra Energy’s Algonquin Incremental Market (AIM) gas pipeline expansion.

“Pipeline safety and emergency preparedness should be a direct and inescapable responsibility of the Department of Health” said Nancy Vann, Peekskill resident and President of Safe Energy Rights Group, Inc.

“The County Department of Health is holding an emergency preparedness drill today at the County Center for a possible anthrax event. But when it comes to the very real health and safety issues from a jumbo 42” diameter high pressure gas pipeline and its associated infrastructure, our county health department remains silent,” said Dr. Susan Rubin, Chappaqua resident and environmental educator.

Resistance to the pipeline project is growing in Westchester County as construction of the pipeline could begin any day, opponents said, declaring Spectra Energy’s AIM pipeline project a public health and safety emergency:

Pipelines and compressor stations pose a serious public health issue, emitting many hazardous compounds into the air we breathe, adding to the already poor quality air in Westchester County.

Emissions can lead to serious health issues for people who live close by, including eye and respiratory tract irritation, nausea, memory impairment, damage to liver, kidney, and central nervous system, and elevated risk of cancer.

Pipeline ruptures can result in fires and explosions. Spectra Energy’s new 42” diameter pipeline will be placed too close for comfort to schools and to vital structures necessary for the safe shutdown of the Indian Point nuclear power plant. Nuclear and pipeline experts believe that the risk of a pipeline rupture has been greatly underestimated and that a rupture could result in total loss of electric power and backup generation which is what caused the core meltdown and radioactive releases in Fukishima. To date, the County Department of Health has looked the other way with regard to health and safety issues posed by this dangerous project.

RELATED:

• Spectra Files Next Stage of Algonquin Pipeline Expansion
• DEC Issues Water Permits for 1st Algonquin Pipeline Expansion Project
• Spectra OK to Start Prep Work in Montrose on Algonquin Pipeline Expansion
• Politicians Write the Feds Again on the Pipeline Project Past Indian Point
• Union Opposes More Review of Pipeline Past Indian Point

PHOTOS: Sept. 30 Die-In protest/ credit: Erik McGregor