Pipeline Protesters Sentenced

CORTLANDT, NY — Nine people who trespassed during a protest against the Algonquin Pipeline expansion projects were sentenced Friday in Cortlandt town court.

Cortlandt Town Court Judge Daniel McCarthy issued sentences for the New York residents calling themselves the “Montrose 9” who were arrested in November 2015 for blocking access to a Spectra Energy construction yard. Each was fined and sentenced to community service, according to a statement from ResistSpectra.

The defendants had entered the “Necessity Defense" plea, arguing that their activity was justified because it was done to stop a danger more harmful than the violation of the law, and only after all other legal and regulatory options had been exhausted. They oppose Spectra Energy's controversial expansion of the Algonquin Pipeline, a high-pressure 42-inch gas pipeline.

"We agree with the decision of the Court," said a Spectra Energy spokeswoman. "We respect the right of individuals to protest, except when those actions violate the law and create potentially unsafe conditions."

Their lawyer, Martin Stolar, has filed an appeal with the appellate division of Westchester’s Supreme Court, ResistSpectra said.

The pipeline 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.

While the projects cover an overall expansion program for the pipeline from New Jersey to New England, the Federal Energy Regulation Commission is considering each separately.

Photo/ Minister Erik McGregor via Flickr

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