WCDO Radio News

The Federal EPA has concluded that a draft report on the environmental impacts of the proposed Constitution Pipeline is “insufficient,” and that a potential option of locating the line along I- 88 has not been fully evaluated.  The EPA is calling on the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, the pipeline planners, the state DOT, the Federal Highway Administration and other agencies to meet to discuss the I-88 proposal, which does not have the necessary detailed environmental impact information.  Initial plans call for the pipeline to run along the I-88 corridor from Pennsylvania to Schoharie County with 4 “Taps” along the route, one of  those taps allow natural gas to come off the pipeline to the new Amphenol facility being built in Sidney.

The next Federal Energy Regulatory Commission public comment hearing will be held tonight in Afton.  The meeting will begin at 7:00 PM at the Afton High School, as the commission will take public comment on the Environmental Impact Statement on the proposed Constitution pipeline route along the I-88 corridor, from Pennsylvania to Schoharie County.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission is holding public meetings this week, to gather feedback on the draft Environmental Impact Statement, for the proposed Constitution Pipeline. The pipeline would carry natural gas, from northern Pennsylvania across New York’s Southern Tier, to connect with other pipelines in Schoharie County serving Northeast markets. Meetings are scheduled tonight at 7:00 at the Oneonta High School, tomorrow night at 7:00 PM at the Afton High School, and Thursday evening at Blue Ridge High School in New Milford, Pennsylvania. If approved, pipeline construction could start in January.

This week’s announcement regarding the new Amphenol plant in Sidney getting a direct tap from the proposed Constitution Pipeline still waits for federal approval for the project.  Constitution Pipeline Spokesman Chris Stockton explains:

(Chris Stockton 3-21-14)

Stockton said that if the project is approved, construction would begin next January, along the I-88 corridor from northern Pennsylvania into the capital region.

Officials with the Constitution Pipeline, Leatherstocking Gas Company & Amphenol in Sidney announced on Tuesday a plan to get natural gas services to Amphenol’s new plant, as well as to towns and businesses along the I-88 Corridor.  Rick Aiken of Amphenol said that Amphenol would be one of the “tap” locations, where natural gas would come directly into the facility, at a great savings to the company:

(Rick Aiken 3-20-14)

The Constitution Pipeline would run 125 miles from northern Pennsylvania to parts of New York State for eventual distribution into New England.  Construction of the pipeline could start in January 2015 pending federal approval.  The full story is available in this week’s Tri-Town News.

Officials with the Constitution Pipeline, Leatherstocking Gas Company & Amphenol in Sidney announced a plan to get natural gas services to Amphenol’s new plant, as well as to towns and businesses along the 125-mile proposed route along the I-88 Corridor.  The Constitution Pipeline would run from northern Pennsylvania to parts of New York State for eventual distribution into New England.  Amphenol in Sidney would be one of the four “tap” locations, meaning natural gas would come directly into the facility.  Construction of the pipeline could start in January 2015 pending federal approval.

Governor Cuomo announced the approval of $5.9 million to support economic development projects throughout the state.  Local projects assisted include the MARK Project of Delaware County for $250,000.  Also the Delaware County IDA & the Amphenol Corporation of Sidney will use a grant of up to $750,000 for a portion of the cost to construct a natural gas distribution line from the Constitution Pipeline to Amphenol’s   existing facility at 40-60 Delaware Avenue, as well as the new manufacturing facility to be being constructed at 171 Delaware Avenue, which will help retain 950 jobs.

Solitary confinement for juvenile, pregnant women and developmentally disabled prisoners will be limited under a deal struck by state and the New York Civil Liberties Union. The NYCLU sued the state Department of Corrections, arguing the state’s system of solitary confinement violated the U.S. Constitution. The state will no longer place pregnant inmates in solitary housing units “except in exceptional circumstances” approved by the corrections department. Inmates who are age 16 or 17 would be limited to no more than 19 hours in their cell per day and offered the opportunity to exercise outdoors five days a week. For developmentally disabled inmates, the deal calls for the state to create an alternative program for those who have been in solitary confinement for more than 30 days

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission found the Constitution natural gas pipeline project could have numerous impacts on the environment during construction and operation. The Constitution Pipeline would span Broome, Chenango, Delaware and Schoharie counties, it would deliver natural gas from Susquehanna County Pennsylvania to markets in New York and New England.  The commission released its Draft Environmental Impact Statement, it outlined additional mitigation measures that would be  needed to minimize or avoid potential impacts on water bodies, wetlands, and wildlife. After the final environmental impact statement is issued, commissioners will take the recommendations under consideration when deciding project approvals

A rally against the proposed CONSTITUTION Pipeline is scheduled in downtown Oneonta later today.  The rally will be in front of Foothills Performing Arts Center on Market Street in Oneonta at 5:00pm. The rally is in response to the Paradigm Liaison Services meeting inside Foothills for local government and business leaders.

Delhi village officials will host a public information meeting tonight regarding a potential natural gas distribution franchise within the village. The meeting will be held at 7:00 PM at the Delhi Fire Hall.  Leatherstocking Gas Company LLC will give a presentation, as they seek franchises from the village and town to distribute natural gas from the proposed Constitution Pipeline.