October 2014

News & Updates #4

COME TO THE NEXT STP MEETING

The next STP meeting will be held on Saturday, November 1, 2014, with staggered start times.

If you haven't been able to make recent meetings, come at 2 p.m. for a quick recap.

The regular meeting starts at 2:30 p.m. and will include a presentation by Anne Marie Garti on the eminent domain process. As you'll read below, a LOT has happened during the past month regarding the proposed Constitution and Northeast Energy Direct (NED) pipelines.

KINDER MORGAN PREFILES WITH FERC

On September 16th, Kinder-Morgan (d.b.a. Tennessee Gas Pipeline Co.) began the process of applying for federal certification for their proposed Northeast Energy Direct (NED) pipeline.

Click here to download a PDF* of the maps and documents that KM/TGP submitted to FERC. Map02 shows the route in NYS, which runs next to or very near to the proposed Constitution Pipeline (CP). NED is the blue line and CP is the red line. KM/TGP will hold open houses this winter. FERC will probably hold hearings on the scope of the project before spring.

* Note: When you click the link, it takes you to FERC's website. You only need to download the 'FERC generated PDF' at the top of the page as it includes all of the other files.

CONSTITUTION HOPES FOR FAST-TRACKING

The Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for Constitution Pipeline is scheduled to be issued by FERC on October 24, 2014.

CP has requested an expedited review by FERC, with a decision approving or denying their project by November 25, 2014. In opposition to this request, the Pace Environmental Litigation Clinic filed this letter on behalf of STP. In the letter STP asks FERC to delay issuing a certificate in order to:

1. Reissue a complete Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) that complies with all laws and includes impacts from TGP's NED project.

2. Investigate whether there is an actual need for the project.

The letter also pointed to the high percentage of landowners who have not signed an easement agreement, noting that excessive use of eminent domain is against FERC's policy.

In addition to STP's letter of opposition, the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) filed this letter with FERC on October 15th, stating that an extensive amount of analysis--including analysis on the cumulative impacts from the NED project--must still be completed by CP before the Army Corps will consider authorizing the project to proceed. This is GOOD NEWS.

In response to the Army Corps' position, the Pace Environmental Litigation Clinic asked FERC to issue a Supplemental DEIS. The letter, sent on behalf of STP, is here.

ACTION:

For more details on the upcoming pipeline review, check out this recent article from the Oneonta Daily Star. To gain more clarity on this critical-to-understand process, attend the upcoming STP meeting.

THE YOU-ARE-HERE MAP

The NYC-based Sane Energy Project recently launched a super-informative interactive online map that catalogs all existing and proposed shale-gas infrastructure in New York State. Created in collaboration with upstate activists, including members of STP, the map allows you to see the big picture of the shale-gas network in NYS, and zoom in on your own town to learn about the current status of a project. It also connects you to local groups fighting this infrastructure.

ACTION:

1. Check out the map. It shows more than 100 pipelines, compressor stations, and frack waste and storage facilities that are either proposed, under construction or in operation.

2. You can help this project continue by voting here for Sane Energy to win a $10,000 grant from KIND.

ACTION:

DON’T FORGET TO VOTE!

From the governor down to your local town council members, elected officials play a huge role in deciding the future of New York State. Do you know where your candidates stand on the potential spread of pipelines and other fracking-related infrastructure in NYS?

The general election (both statewide and local) is on November 4th. If you don’t know if you’re registered to vote, call 1-866-OUR-VOTE or check online here.

To learn how to register and where and when to vote, visit this site. Educate yourself about your candidates’ positions on pipelines and fracking infrastructure.

Note: STP is not affiliated with any political party or candidate nor does it endorse any candidates.

DON’T FORGET TO VOTE!

STP’s MISSION

STP’s MISSION is to preserve and enhance the rural heritage and pristine environment of central New York State and north central PA by ensuring:

- the purity and safety of its air, water and soil
- the health of its inhabitants
- the resilience of its ecosystems
- and the capacity of the area to be self-sustaining.

DONATE TODAY to SUPPORT THIS EFFORT
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Small acts, when multiplied by millions of people, can transform the world.

—Howard Zinn

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Stop the Constitution Pipeline, P.O. Box 48, East Meredith, NY 13757

Note: We are working to stop BOTH the Constitution Pipeline and the Tennessee Gas Pipeline.