NEWS

NY senators end silence on Algonquin pipeline

Ernie Garciaelgarcia@lohud.com
The route of the proposed Algonquin pipeline expansion.
  • Senators Gillibrand and Schumer asked FERC to consider gas pipeline's proximity to Indian Point

New York's two senators sent a letter Monday to the federal agency considering a natural gas pipeline expansion asking for more public input.

Senators Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand told the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission that the Algonquin pipeline expansion in Putnam, Rockland and Westchester counties raises many questions.

Specifically, the senators want FERC's board to consider the pipeline's proximity to the Indian Point nuclear power plant; impacts on parkland; possible airborne contaminant releases; and water quality effects.

"In light of the significant potential health, safety, and environmental concerns raised throughout the approval process, we ask that FERC not issue a final determination on this proposal until a thorough, independent review of all the project's potential impacts is completed and made available to the public, with full opportunity for comment and review, including additional public meetings," their letter stated.

Schumer and Gillibrand hadn't filed any comments with FERC over almost a year of public comment, even though several U.S. senators from northeastern states had chimed in for or against the project that delivers natural gas to New England.

The Journal News published a news story Friday morning on the New York's senators' lack of comment and later that day both senators said they would soon submit comments.

Twitter: @ErnieJourno