Recently the energy giant behind the Constitution Pipeline announced that it is delaying the opening of the fracked gas pipeline until 2017.
A welcomed breather, but in fact, Governor Cuomo and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) have the ability to reject this pipeline once and for all, right now!
All DEC needs to do is deny water quality certification under the Clean Water Act by April 29th, and the pipeline project is dead, period. This is New York's chance to stand up against the rubber-stamping Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) while protecting our State's rights, our people and our waterways.
Unfortunately, if the DEC lets the clock run out, New York waives its right to deny the project and FERC’s approval will stand by default.
That’s why we must use the next few weeks to put tremendous public pressure on the Governor and the DEC to stop Constitution once and for all.
First up, a huge rally in Albany on Tuesday, April 5th, organized by Stop the Pipeline with dozens of groups who, like Mountainkeeper, are working to stop the invasion of fossil fuel pipelines and compressor stations.
Kim Fraczek, co-director of Sane Energy Project, and I will be leading the demonstrators in a march from the Capitol to DEC headquarters. The stakes for this rally – to stop to the Constitution Pipeline once and for all – are so high I hope you will make every possible effort to join us.
Here's the basic information for the Rally:
- Tuesday, April 5th, 11:30 am - 2:30 pm
- Meet in Albany’s East Capitol Park and then march to DEC headquarters
- Wear blue clothing
- Buses to Albany leaving from: Binghamton, Oneonta, Cooperstown, Sharon Springs, Richmondville, Cobleskill and beyond
You can get up-to-the-minute news about the rally and how to purchase bus tickets at the Facebook events page and more rally details, including the full list of speakers, at StopthePipeline.org.
The Constitution Pipeline would carry fracked gas from Pennsylvania to Canada cutting a swath of destruction across New York State that would claim 1,000 acres of forests and farms including 700,000 trees, while threatening 277 vulnerable waterways and countless communities. I know you share my determination to stop it!
