Spectra Responds to Comments on the Algonquin Pipeline Proposal

Spectra Energy has filed a response to the public comments made in writing or at hearings before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

First the company takes up the argument by commenters who said the draft environmental impact statement should be re-done because new information about the Algonquin pipeline expansion project was still coming in.

The FERC process allows for this and the courts have said so, the company said in its filing.

Second, the company takes up the argument by commenters that FERC should not be considering Spectra’s pipeline expansion plans in segments—that the true environmental impacts must include all the pieces Spectra is planning in one location.

That would mean that FERC would consider the impacts not only of the Algonquin Project but also of the Atlantic Bridge project, which will construct new, bigger pipeline and new facilities for monitoring, cleaning and venting that pipeline through the same region.

Spectra has already made presentations on Atlantic Bridge in Buchanan and Somers.

However, in its filing with FERC, Spectra argued that the Atlantic Bridge project about which it is making public presentations is not a formal proposal yet.

The law about unfair segmentation only applies to proposals, the company says, “the Atlantic Bridge and Access Northeast projects are still in their development phases and neither is a ’proposal’ subject to NEPA review. As a result, the Atlantic Bridge project and Access Northeast project need not be considered as ’cumulative actions’ in the Project EIS.”

And the company singled out the Town of Cortlandt’s comments and comments from SAPE, a grassroots opposition group, saying that they implied something that isn’t true.

“A public announcement alone does not constitute a “proposal” for action. Since neither the Atlantic Bridge project nor the Access Northeast project is a proposal, there is no inappropriate segmentation of the environmental review.

“Indeed, the implication by SAPE and Cortlandt that Algonquin can predict the location and timing of future system expansions is flawed.”

In addition, Spectra said, “the Project is not expected to result in significant noise or dust impacts on St. Patrick’s Church or the Buchanan-Verplanck Elementary School.”