Politicians Write the Feds Again on the Pipeline Project Past Indian Point

Federal officials continue to give Spectra Energy the go-ahead to start the first pieces of its Algonquin pipeline expansion plan, which is being approved in pieces.

However, local and state officials have again written to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to request an independent, in-depth risk assessment of the pipeline’s proximity to the Indian Point nuclear power plants.

“We read all the time about gas line explosions throughout the nation causing significant damage,” Cortlandt Town Supervisor Puglisi wrote in a letter which was submitted to FERC to Aug. 21. “However, none of them are anywhere near a nuclear plant. This gas line would be near not one but two nuclear plants.”

Assembly members Sandra Galef and David Buchwald voiced “grave concerns that the Spectra AIM pipeline project sited near Indian Point should not proceed unless and until further safety assessments as outlined below are conducted and conclude that this project is, indeed, safely sited. We have cause to believe the NRC has not properly vetted the threat that a gas pipeline rupture would pose to the nuclear power plant. We have repeatedly called for an independent risk assessment, and now call for that assessment to include a transient risk analysis, which has not been undertaken.”

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
• Feds Consider Pipeline Expansion Foes’ Requests for a Rehearing

Locals have objected to the assessment that was done, saying that the Nuclear Regulatory Commission did not do a thorough job, and calling attention to recent testimony from pipeline expert Richard Kuprewicz and nuclear expert Paul Blanch to the NRC about significant flaws in the analyses that have been used by FERC to issue an approval for the pipeline to be sited near Indian Point and to allow for the start of construction. In addition to using loosely hand drawn diagrams in place of vigorous verifiable calculations, the analyses also failed to look at an hour by hour roll out of what happens when a gas line ruptures, especially if such a rupture were to take place in the vicinity of the nuclear power plant, the officials said.

State lawmakers including George Latimer, Liz Krueger and Steven Otis have also sent letters.

“We join many other elected ofticials and concerned individuals in Westchester County and the region in seeking an independent risk assessment for the AIM project construction near Indian Point,” Westchester County lawmakers wrote in a joint letter.

“It is just common sense in my opinion, to evaluate and review every aspect of this project’s plan before rendering a final decision,” Puglisi wrote. “Therefore, I request once again that the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (F.E.R.C.) does the right thing and reopen the hearings and review ofthe Spectra AIM pipeline project. Thank you for your consideration.”