WCDO Radio News

The State DEC today filed a notice with the Federal Energy Regulatory Committee to oppose Constitution Pipeline Company, LLC’s petition to reissue a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity and override DEC’s oversight authority under the Clean Water Act for the proposed pipeline project. The DEC officials said that the company is attempting to bypass critical environmental reviews and undercut New York State’s regulatory authority. DEC did not waive its Clean Water Act Section 401 authority and will explore all available options to defend the state rights.

A.M. NEWS WEDNESDAY 1-28-26

The Broome County Sheriff's Office arrested 46 year old Dana DioGuardi of the Town of Chenango after allegedly stealing multiple vehicles, one containing two children in the Town of Chenango. Early Monday, Deputies responded to a report of a stolen vehicle, the owner had left the SUV running in the parking lot of the Dollar General on Route 12 as he was plowing snow using another vehicle, he saw a woman drive off with 2 children inside the vehicle, he followed in the 2nd vehicle, DioGuardi stopped, he pulled her out, she then tried to take the other vehicle but the owner removed her from that vehicle, she fled on foot & was uncooperative, fighting with deputies & kicking a State Trooper in the face. DioGuardi was charged with Grand Larceny, Attempted Grand Larceny, 2 Counts of Child Endangerment, 2 Counts of Kidnapping, Resisting Arrest, Obstruction of Governmental Administration, she was remanded to the Broome County Correctional Facility.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has found that New
York waived its water quality authority for Williams' Constitution Pipeline,
giving new life to a natural gas project stalled since April 2016 when the
state DEC denied a permit.   Federal
regulators have cleared the way for the Constitution pipeline project to move
forward, if the company still plans to do so.
The original plans called for the pipeline to run from Pennsylvania
through the Susquehanna River Valley to the Capital Region, Williams Partners
appealed to federal courts after New York rejected a water quality permit over
concerns for 250 streams. The project still needs a permit from the U.S. Army
Corps of Engineers.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has declined to over-rule New York State’s denial of the construction of the Constitution pipeline. The DEC ruled that the pipeline failed to meet certain requirements, the federal agency will not over rule the state’s decision. The Constitution pipeline was proposed to run from Northeast Pennsylvania, through Broome, Chenango, Delaware & Otsego Counties into Schoharie County, carrying gas would could have been tapped into by businesses and communities along the route.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 2nd Circuit upheld New York State's denial of a water quality certification for the proposed Constitution Pipeline. The Pipeline would include construction of 100 miles of new natural gas pipeline across Central New York, crossing more than 250 streams and more than 80 acres of wetlands. In 2014, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission approved the pipeline but conditioned that approval on certification from New York State, the State DEC denied the certification on the grounds that they failed to provide sufficient information that the project would meet the state’s standards.

State Senator Jim Seward addressed the Sidney Rotary club this afternoon, & discussed the upcoming legislative session. Seward told WCDO News that he would like to see movement quickly on the Constitution Pipeline in order for planned expansion for area businesses to go forward:

(Senator Seward 1-13-17)

The 2017 Legislative session will begin dealing with Governor Cuomo's aggressive agenda shortly.

The Company that has proposed the Constitution Pipeline is filing a lawsuit after the state DEC rejected the paperwork that was submitted for the plan. Area Assemblyman Cliff Crouch told WCDO News that several area companies were promised low cost natural gas through this plan, and now they are in limbo:

(Cliff Crouch 6-22-16)

Crouch said that the lawsuits will likely take 2 or 3 years to complete, hopefully the companies like Amphenol, Acco & Raymond will be able to operate at current levels until the Pipeline is approved & built.

Constitution Pipeline Company has appealed the State DEC’s refusal to grant the company’s request for a Section 401 Water Quality Certification under the Clean Water Act. The appeal was filed with the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, they contend that the refusal is arbitrary and capricious and constitutes an impermissible challenge to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity, which was issued in December 2014. The company also filed an action with the U.S. District Court seeking a declaration that the State of New York’s authority to exercise permitting jurisdiction over certain other environmental matters is preempted by federal law.

State Lawmakers are looking to pass a constitutional amendment to be able to strip convicted lawmakers like Sheldon Silver & Dean Skelos, of their pensions. Assemblyman Cliff Crouch explains:

(Crouch 5-17-16)

Crouch said that a constitutional amendment needs to pass the legislature 2 years in a row and be passed by voters in order to take effect.

The Constitution Pipeline denial by New York State DEC could have severe ramifications to the economy of the Southern Tier. Delaware county IDA Chairman Jim Thompson Commented:

(Jim Thompson 4-28-16)

Constitution pipeline officials stated a desire to appeal the New York State ruling to a federal court.

The New York State Court of Appeals ruled today that DNA evidence presented by prosecutors in a trial, must be accompanied at trial by at least one analyst involved in the critical stages of the processing of the DNA Evidence used, or who independently analyzed the raw data. The Court of Appeals ruled 4-3, that DNA evidence otherwise violates a defendant's constitutional right to confront an accuser. The ruling follows a controversial Brooklyn trial where DNA evidence was presented & eventually convicted a man, who will now get a new trial.

The Department of Environmental Conservation won't issue a water quality permit for the Constitution Pipeline. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission approved the pipeline project in 2014 contingent on the state permit, which is required by the federal Clean Water Act. Constitution Pipeline Company officials will appeal the state decision to the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

Constitution Pipeline Company announced today that they are changing the projected start of service from the 4th quarter of this year to the 2nd half of 2017. The company says it won't be able to complete tree-clearing before the end of March; they have completed tree-felling along the Pennsylvania leg of the project, New York work will not begin until state regulators issue a water quality certification. The Constitution Pipeline would be a 124-mile of natural gas pipeline from Pennsylvania through the southern Tier for distribution into the New England markets.

A Rally was held Saturday at the River Club in Afton with about 300 + Constitution Pipeline supporters. Assemblyman Cliff Crouch attended:

(Crouch 1-25-16)

The Constitution pipeline is expected to traverse the southern tier along the I-88 Corridor from Pennsylvania into the New England markets, with local availability to Am phenol in Sidney among others, along the route.

Delaware County Sheriff’s Office today announced the receipt of a grant of $17,000 from Constitution Pipeline. The grant will be used to support the purchase of Polaris Rangers for Emergency First Responders. The support to the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office is part of a community grant program available to New York counties that host Constitution Pipeline. Delaware County Sheriff’s Office is one of over 100 community organizations in New York receiving a total of more than $1.9 million in seven rounds of grants. The Funding will be used to purchase Polaris Rangers for emergency response to isolated areas and for tracking missing persons in rural landscapes.

Empire State Development Announced that Amphenol Corporation in Sidney will receive $750,000 for propane to their Sidney factory while they wait for a natural gas pipeline to be built through the southern tier. The ESD Board approved of the Monday to divert up to $750,000 in an existing incentive package that allowed Amphenol to stay in Sidney after the 2 serious floods in 2006 & 2011. Amphenol operates a new closer to the I-88 Corridor, where they will be able to acquire natural gas service from the planned Constitution Pipeline.

Federal officials have scheduled hearings on the 2nd natural gas pipeline proposal through the Southern Tier. The sessions hosted by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission will begin at 7:00 PM Thursday at the Foothills Performing Arts Center in Oneonta, & at the Days Inn in Schoharie. Kinder Morgan proposes constructing a pipeline along the same corridor as the recently approved Constitution Pipeline, to move gas from Pennsylvania into New England. The Kinder Morgan Pipeline still needs approval from FERC.

State Senator Jim Seward today announced his opposition to plans to site a 2nd gas pipeline through portions of his district. Seward said that the proposal submitted by Tennessee Gas Pipeline should be rejected, as the area is already under FERC approval by the Constitution Pipeline, which is slated to will supply natural gas to Amphenol, the Village of Sidney, and other local interests. No such plan exists with the Tennessee Gas Pipeline proposal from Kinder Morgan. Seward also echoed a demand made by the Delaware County Board of Supervisors that, should the project be approved, a formal agreement be executed to ensure that all local costs attributable to pipeline construction, be paid for by Kinder Morgan.

Constitution Pipeline Company announced the recipients of the 6th cycle of their Community Grant program, awarding 25 grants totaling more than $200,000 to benefit local communities within the counties traversed by the proposed pipeline project. Current grants were awarded to the Town of Afton, The Village of Bainbridge, The Bainbridge Historical Society, the Chenango County Blues Association, the Franklin Fire Department, the Delaware County Fire Fighters Association, the Delaware County Sheriff's Office & the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Council of Delaware County.

Landowners & businesses along the I-88 corridor are now attending a second round of public meetings for a second pipeline proposal from Kinder Morgan, after the region already attended meeting for the Constitutition pipeline along the same pathway. Area Assemblyman Pete Lopez comments:

(Lopez 5-21-15)

The plans call for the Constitution Pipeline to provide access along the way to businesses & municiaplities, including Amphenol in Sidney, the Kinder Morgan pipeline initially calls for no such local offerings.

The State DEC today announced a new 15-day public comment period on the re-submitted Water Quality Certificate application for the proposed, federally regulated 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, 2015 do not need to resubmit their comments. Written comments should be submitted to the DEC Division of Environmental Permits, 625 Broadway, 4th Floor, Albany, 12233. or email to dec.sm.constitution@dec.ny.gov. Copies of the documents can be viewed online at constitutionpipeline.com. Printed copies are available at libraries in Afton, Bainbridge, Franklin, Sidney, Deposit & Oneonta

The Constitution Pipeline approval process inches closer to allowing Williams energy to go forward with the controversial pipeline proposal. Area Assemblyman Pete Lopez said that the pipeline proposal weighs heavy on his constituents minds:

(Lopez 2-26-15)

Plans call for the construction of the natural gas pipeline to begin this summer, it would pass through Broome, Delaware & Schoharie counties locally from Pennsylvania to the Northeast states.

The State DEC extended the public comment period on the draft permit for the proposed Constitution Pipeline and an upgrade to the Iroquois Wright Compressor station in Schoharie County by an additional 28 days.  Public comments will now be accepted until Friday, February 27.  Written comments should be submitted to: DEC – Division of Environmental Permits, 625 Broadway, 4th Floor, Albany, NY  12233. Copies of the documents can be viewed online at constitutionpipeline.com,  Printed copies are available at the Libraries in Afton, Bainbridge, Franklin, Sidney & Deposit.

The Constitution Pipeline will be the topic of the 3rd DEC hearing this week, tonight at 6:00 pm at the SUNY Cobleskill Bouck Hall Theater. The pipeline would run form northeast Pennsylvania through the southern tier to Schoharie County to deliver natural gas into the northeast if approved.

The State DEC extended the public comment period on the draft permit for the proposed, federally regulated Constitution Pipeline, as well as the upgrade to the Iroquois Wright Compressor station in Schoharie County, by an additional 28 days. Public comments on the proposed project will be accepted through Friday, February 27th at 5:00PM. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission was responsible for conducting an environmental review of the project; they issued a final Environmental Impact Statement in October. People can provide verbal or written comments at the public meetings tonight at 6:00 PM in Oneonta at SUNY Oneonta Lecture Hall IRC #3, or Wednesday night at 6:00 PM in SUNY Cobleskill’s Bouck Hall Theater.

The Constitution Pipeline will be the topic of the 2nd DEC hearing this week on that subject, tonight at 6:00 pm at SUNY Oneonta Lecture Hall IRC #3. Officials with the parent company are looking to construct the pipeline & they hope to begin work in the spring on the project, which will transport natural gas from northeast Pennsylvania to Schoharie County. The pipeline would pass through portion of Broome, Delaware & Chenango Counties if approved.

The first of the DEC hearing on the proposed Constitution Pipeline will be held today in Binghamton. The hearing begins at 6:00 PM at the East Middle School Auditorium at 167 East Frederick Street in Binghamton, another hearing will be held Tuesday in Oneonta and Wednesday in Cobleskill.

Public Comments Sought On Draft State Permit Applications For the Proposed Constitution Pipeline Will Be Accepted now through January 30th, 3 Public Meetings to be held in January. Comments can be submitted to Stephen Tomas, DEC Division of Environmental Permits, 625 Broadway, 4th Floor Albany, 12233 or at dec.sm.constitution@dec.ny.gov. Public meetings are scheduled on Monday January 12th at the East Middle School Auditorium, 167 East Frederick Street Binghamton at 6:00 PM. An Oneonta meeting will be held on January 13th at 6:00 pm at the SUNY Oneonta Lecture Hall in IRC #3, & in Cobleskill, Wednesday, January 14th at 6:00 PM at SUNY Cobleskill, Bouck Hall Theater. Copies can be viewed online constitutionpipeline.com.

The parent company of the Constitution Pipeline has filed eminent domain proceedings against 55 landowners along the proposed pipeline route from Northeast Pennsylvania through the Southern Tier & into Schoharie County. The Pipeline’s proposed 124-mile route travels through Broome Chenango & Delaware Counties locally, the project recently received approval from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to continue, they look to begin construction as soon as possible.

Constitution Pipeline Company announced that the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has issued an order approving construction of its proposed pipeline to increase natural gas supply to New York and New England markets, subject to certain conditions that will ensure the protection of natural resources. The 124-mile Pipeline will travel from Pennsylvania, through Broome, Chenango, Delaware and into Schoharie County, construction will begin as early as the first-quarter next year. Studies indicate that the environmental impacts would be to less than significant levels with the implementation of proposed mitigation measures by the company and FERC.

The Constitution Pipeline project cleared a hurdle today when the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission issued a final environmental impact statement that concluded its impacts would be within acceptable levels once mitigation measures are taken. In the report, the federal agency determined the pipeline would result in limited environmental impacts. The decision, however, also included a series of conditions that must be met for the project to win full approval from FERC. The project involves running natural gas pipeline that would begin in Susquehanna County, Pa., and go through parts of Broome, Chenango, Delaware and Schoharie counties

A Local group known as “Stop The Pipeline” is hosting a meeting tonight in Oneonta, regarding the Constitution Pipeline and Tennessee Pipeline Proposals, which could see more pipelines placed under the southern tier.  The meeting will run from 7:00 to 9:00 PM at the Universalist Unitarian Church at 12 Ford Avenue in Oneonta.

Federal regulators are pressing officials of the  Constitution Pipeline for new information about environmental impacts as part of a move that will delay the determination on whether the project can be licensed. The authorization decision deadline had been scheduled by FERC for September 11th , but now the commission advised the pipeline company that they are required to submit new information, following new comments from the earlier impact report.  FERC did not indicate how much additional time would be required.