DEC critical of gas line plan
Opposition indicative of sea change in state’s energy infrastructure priorities
New York environmental officials have some pointed questions for the federal government about plans to upgrade a natural gas pipeline that runs through this Greene County community.
The dispute, though, isn’t about plans for a new pipeline. It instead focuses on a change to an existing line that at one time might have been seen as uncontroversial.
The proposal by the Iroquois Pipeline Operating Company for adding compressors to their 414-mile eponymously named natural gas line brings into sharp focus the new considerations that state policymakers are weighing regarding energy infrastructure after passage of the 2019 Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act which sets ambitious greenhouse gas reduction goals in New York state.
The enhancement by compression project would add a new 12,000horsepower compressor to the 10,000horsepower one already in place at the Athens pumping station. Additional compressors are also planned in Dover in Dutchess County and Brookfield, Conn, the latter of which is near the company’s headquarters.
Iroquois says the expansion would let them increase the flow of gas which runs from the Canadian border through upstate New York and Connecticut to supply New York and Long Island.
Iroquois, as well as the utilities that would distribute the gas to customers
— Coned and National Grid’s Keyspan unit — have argued the extra fuel is needed to keep up with demand downstate.
It would also offset the need for dirtier oil-burning sources, according to the company.
Projected for completion in 2023, the company also says it will use the latest technology to capture methane leaks and use high-efficiency compression equipment.
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, which oversees most aspects of such pipelines, has been moving the project through its review process.
But a number of environmental organizations oppose the upgrade.
Rather than making it easier to use natural more gas, they say any new energy initiatives should focus on solar, wind and other carbon-free sources.
Many of the opponents have also fought against plans for new pipelines, such as a proposal several years ago from the Williams Company. It received federal approval in 2014 but was eventually dropped amid environmental opposition and the state’s refusal to grant a water permit.
Opponents look at the Iroquois upgrade the same way.
“It will increase greenhouse gas emissions,” said Mary Finneran, a local activist.
Moreover, the Sierra Club noted that Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo “demanded the gas companies find ways to provide heat when the Williams Pipeline was shut down.” But plans for other pipelines as well as shipping fuel by trucks are some of options being offered, which the group says are not a sustainable, green solutions.
State officials appear to agree. In recent comments to FERC, the state Department of Environmental Conservation blasted the planned compressor upgrade, saying it runs counter to the state’s goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
“The Climate Act contains statutory mandates for the Statewide reduction of (greenhouse gas) emission by 2030 and 2050, as well as for carbonfree electricity generation by 2040. In other words, while
these requirements are being implemented through ongoing regulatory and other actions, they are not merely goals or targets,” agency lawyers said in their comments.
“To the extent the EXC project is inconsistent with the requirements of the Climate Act, Iroquois and FERC should consider whether there is an appropriate justification for the
EXC Project and what GHG mitigation measures may be imposed. FERC should properly take into account the requirements of the Climate Act when considering the EXC Project.”
There are other criticisms as well.
Like DEC, a New York University Law School policy think tank noted that pipeline enhancements should also look at the “upstream” impacts of natural gas use, essentially saying these projects need to be considered from a more global perspective.
The Sierra Club Atlantic Chapter is also against the project, as are a number of local organizations such as Protecting our Waters and Scenic Hudson.
The New York Building Congress, the Business Council of New York State, and New Yorkers for Affordable Energy, have supported the project, however.
Iroquois spokesperson Ruth Parkins said all of the comments submitted to FERC are under review and she didn’t know what impact that might have on their schedule.
“At this time, all comments submitted including those of the NYS DEC, are under review at FERC. What, if any bearing the comments may have on the timetable are unknown at this time,” she said.
And aside from the FERC application, the project would still need state air permits for the new compressors, according to DEC.