Editorial: Big pipeline needs deep review

Spectra Energy's moving apace with a plan to expand its pipeline from Ramapo to Stony Point, under the Hudson, and through Westchester and Putnam. Federal approvals and hearings are underway for

Spectra Energy's Algonquin Incremental Market

Project — called AIM.

But residents, environmental activists and local leaders say questions remain. How will the blowdowns from bigger compressor stations and fallout from cleaning stations (called "pigging") impact the region's already failing air quality? What kind of threat is posed by a 42-inch high-pressure gas line passing through neighborhoods, near farms and close to the Indian Point nuclear complex?

That's why municipal boards, including Westchester County, Putnam County, Cortlandt, Somers and Peekskill have passed resolutions regarding the project. The Rockland County Legislature's Environmental Committee approved a similar resolution last week, and a full Legislature vote is expected.

Most of the municipalities seek an independent assessment, paid for by Spectra, that would study short-term and long-term health effects of the project. Others want more. Westchester County, for example, calls for Spectra to follow New York law — interstate pipelines fall under federal jurisdiction for approvals and review — because the state has more stringent environmental regulations.

High stakes

The 42-inch pipeline replaces the company's 26-inch Algonquin Pipeline. The larger line would carry gas from Pennsylvania, mined through hydraulic fracturing, which introduces volatile chemicals in the extracting process.

Spectra officials say little will change. "Spectra Energy has been safely operating its pipeline in the existing right-of-way in Westchester County for more than 60 years," Spectra spokeswoman Marylee Hanley told The Journal News last month.

Many local residents see it differently. In a letter to The Journal News, Daria Gregg of Ossining wrote: "Indian Point, nearby on the border of Verplanck and Buchanan, is the only United States nuclear energy facility with gas pipelines running just outside its perimeter. Two earthquake faults have been identified in that exact area. ... There is an elementary school within 450 feet of the proposed route in Verplanck with many residences and businesses nearby."

A coalition has formed to fight AIM — called Stop the Algonquin Pipeline Expansion! or sape2016.org — and continues to enlist support for more monitoring and more hurdles in the approvals process.

Laborers Local 754 Engineering/Construction union, based in Rockland County, supports the AIM project. A posting to lohud.com from the union made clear it's about more than jobs: "From a pure safety standpoint, replacing a 60 year old gas line with a new, state of the art pipeline is an improvement." Indeed, the risk of aging pipelines, decades or even a century old, has caused concern nationwide

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission — known as FERC — is accepting comments on the project's draft environmental studies. A public hearing takes place on Monday in Cortlandt — the only hearing for the project in the state.

Monday's hearing can provide important information for public officials and residents near the proposed gas-line expansion. It can also provide key information for FERC. There are high stakes all around for this major infrastructure project that traverses our counties.

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The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission holds a public hearing on its draft environmental study of Spectra Energy's Algonquin Incremental Market plan.

When: 6:30 p.m. Sept. 15

Where: The Muriel H. Morabito Community Center, 29 Westbrook Drive, Cortlandt.

Details: Visit FERC's website, ferc.gov, and enter Algonquin Incremental Market Project's number – CP14-96-000 – in the search window.