Harckham Requests Rehearing and Repeal of Pipeline Approval

Legislator Peter B. Harckham has filed papers with the Federal Energy Regulation Commission asking that body to rehear and then repeal its order approving the first phase of Spectra Energy’s project to expand its natural gas pipeline through New York into New England and Canada.

“I seek rehearing and rescission of the Commission’s Order because it is contrary to the requirements of the Clean Water Act (“CWA”), the Natural Gas Act (“NGA”), the National Environmental Policy Act (“NEPA”), and NEPA’s implementing regulations, and the Order is not required by the public convenience and necessity,“ he said at the beginning of his filing.

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Harckham represents Westchester County Legislative District 2, which includes Somers, Bedford, Mount Kisco, North Salem, Lewisboro and Pound Ridge.

Requesting a rehearing is the next step in the regulatory process under FERC’s guidelines. After Spectra filed its first project for the Algonquin Pipeline expansion, many people and groups filed to intervene in the process. Becoming an intervenor entitles a party to file a Request for Rehearing within 30 days after FERC’s issuance of an approval Certificate.

FERC approved the AIM project March 3.

A Request for Rehearing was also filed early this morning by the Allegheny Defense Project and another is due to come from a consortium of local and regional pipeline foes.