The non-profit Center for Sustainable Rural Communities, in partnership with Otsego 2000, has submitted formal comments to the State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), State Department of Health, and Governor Cuomo highlighting the potential public safety risks created by siting natural gas pipelines in areas subject to severe flooding.
Citing an advisory issued by the federal Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), in which the agency underscores how flooding, river scour and river channel migration can result in the catastrophic failure of pipelines, the two organizations are urging the DEC to deny water quality and crossing permits for new gas pipelines proposed for areas that have experienced historic flooding events.
Robert Nied, acting director of the Center for Sustainable Rural Communities called the siting of the proposed Constitution and Northeast Energy Direct (NED) pipelines in areas devastated by flooding "irresponsible and shortsighted."
Mr. Nied said that it was incumbent on all agencies involved to "act with due diligence and protect the rural residents of Upstate NY from what could be a double disaster of flooding and pipeline failure."
The joint letter also includes a link to video footage by Dan Brignoli of severe damage caused by torrential flooding where the Constitution Pipeline is now proposed. Mr. Brignoli, of Davenport, whose property is in the proposed route, said, "Constitution wants to locate this pipeline in the very same place where roads have been repeatedly washed away. If the DEC approves this project, it will be a disaster."
DEC Thursday announced a new 15-day public comment period on the re-submitted Water Quality Certificate application for the proposed Constitution Pipeline.
Public comments on the proposed project will now be accepted until close of business on Thursday, May 14.
Those who submitted comments during the first comment period, which ended February 27, do not need to resubmit their comments.
All comments received during the previous comment period will be considered as DEC reviews the permit application.
Due to the extended winter preventing necessary field work by staff, DEC requested additional time to complete its review of any potential impacts on wetlands and water quality.
As requested and to continue the substantial progress reviewing the application and supporting documents that has been made to date, the applicant withdrew and subsequently resubmitted its application with no changes or modifications.
DEC's review of the application is ongoing and the applicant's withdrawal and resubmission is not expected to unduly delay the agency's final determination.