March 1, 2016

Yesterday Governor Cuomo urged the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to halt all construction on Spectra’s controversial Algonquin Incremental Market Expansion (AIM) Pipeline while the New York State Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Services (DHSES), Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC), Department of Health (NYSDOH), and Department of Public Service (DPS) perform an independent safety risk assessment. The four agencies sent a letter to FERC requesting that “FERC stay and reconsider its prior determination to grant a certificate of public convenience and necessity to ensure that the health and safety of all New Yorkers is adequately protected.”

Catskill Mountainkeeper strongly supports the Governor in this action. The AIM pipeline, opposed by many local communities and their elected officials, would have disastrous effects on New York State, surrounding areas, and the planet. It would bring toxic fracked gas through New York communities, threaten the Indian Point Nuclear Facility, and exacerbate climate change, wreaking havoc on communities and the environment throughout the construction process.  

“We are especially encouraged by the joint agency approach to the independent safety risk analysis,” said Jessica Roff, Programs Manager for Catskill Mountainkeeper. “We hope this signals the administration’s understanding that all fossil fuel infrastructure decisions have wide-ranging implications that go well beyond just energy access or environmental impacts. That, in fact, a comprehensive and cumulative assessment of such decisions is necessary, and that to perform an appropriate assessment  the government must consider public health, safety, and environmental issues together. We will be watching the process closely to see how the agencies implement this incredibly important task.”

Contact:  Jessica Roff, Catskill Mountainkeeper 202-321-0020