Learn More about the Fracked-Gas Pipeline Expansion in Rockland, Westchester, Putnam

A proposal now before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission would bring a massive construction project through Rockland, Westchester and Putnam communities as new, bigger pipes replaced the current Algonqun pipeline owned by Spectra Energy that runs from New Jersey to New England.

The proposed pipeline expansion would also add compression stations in Stony Point and Southeast.

Opponents of the plan are holding three workshops to help people prepare for the only public hearing in New York on the issue—set for 6:30 p.m. Sept. 15 at the Morabito Conference Center, 29 Westbrook Drive in Cortlandt Manor, NY.

The workshops are

• 7-10 p.m. Wednesday at the Centennial Fire House, 701 Washington Street in Peekskill
• 7-10 p.m. Thursday at the Lake House, 33 Lake Way in Purdys
• 1-4 p.m. Saturday, during Buchanan Family Day, at the Pavilion, 218 Westchester Avenue in Buchanan

Neighbors are concerned about:

• Proximity to Indian Point (less than 1500 ft)—close enough that a rupture could damage the plant or require evacuation of the personnel from it—not to mention the millions of people that live within 50 miles of the plant (which is 5% of the US population), and a precedent from the NRC of rerouting smaller pipelines to avoid decommissioned nuclear power plants in rural areas.

• Infrastructure damage that the city and county need to be prepared for so we don’t wind up with massive bills as has happened in other communities like Cochecton in Sullivan County.

• Spectra’s safety record

• Property values—some homes that border the pipeline may be forced to grant easements to Spectra that prohibit building on the easement or planting certain vegetation; the massive disruption to the neighborhood would make it unwelcoming to home buyers; presence of gas infrastructure on the property may make it impossible to sell homes or get insurance

• The proximity of the pipeline to the Buchanan-Verplank Elementary school (450ft) considering that an elementary school in Texas was shut down due to risk from an aging Spectra pipeline

• The environmental impact on Dickie Brook and its wetlands as well as portions of Blue Mountain Reservation (which the pipeline would pass through)

• Release of radon, lead, polonium, and other carcinogenic compounds trapped in the pipeline when the old pipeline is removed

• Poor air quality due to release of methane, VOCs, and other compounds from the metering station on Rt 9A and the compressor stations in Stony Point and Southeast

• Industrial overload: the neighborhood already has Indian Point, the BASF chemical plant, and the Wheelabrator incinerator within a mile.