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.
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.
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