WCDO Radio News

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 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.

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 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.

The State Department of Environmental Conservation and local Fire Departments remind area residents that the annual burn ban will be in effect from March 16th to May 14th. The DEC prohibits outdoor residential burning during the high-risk fire season to reduce the number of wildfires and protect people, property and natural resources. Since being enacted in 2009, the ban has been effective in reducing the number of wildfires. More information is available at dec.ny.gov.

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.

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 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 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.

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

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 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.

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

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.