New Yorkers Demand Gov. Hochul Deny Fracked Gas Pipeline Expansion Proposal

Iroquois Pipeline Co. proposal to drastically increase fracked gas from Canada through New York’s Hudson and Harlem Valleys into New York City, Long Island, underscores need to uphold state climate law

Published Apr 4, 2023

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Climate and Energy

Iroquois Pipeline Co. proposal to drastically increase fracked gas from Canada through New York’s Hudson and Harlem Valleys into New York City, Long Island, underscores need to uphold state climate law

Iroquois Pipeline Co. proposal to drastically increase fracked gas from Canada through New York’s Hudson and Harlem Valleys into New York City, Long Island, underscores need to uphold state climate law

ALBANY, NY — Amidst a fossil fuel industry effort to gut New York’s nation-leading climate law, advocates and New Yorkers on the frontlines of a massive fracked gas pipeline expansion, proposed in Greene and Dutchess counties, rallied today in Albany. The groups called on Governor Hochul and the New York Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) to deny a request for an Article 19 State Air Facility Permit for the Iroquois Pipeline Company’s expansion by compression (EXC) proposal. The decision on air permits for the proposal is due April 11.

The rally comes during a controversy over Senator Parker and Assemblymember Barrett’s push for new legislation (S.6030/A.6039) to abandon New York’s existing 20-year accounting standard for methane emissions just as state leadership is finalizing a budget, that is expected to include a landmark ban on fossil fuels in new buildings statewide. The Parker/Barrett legislation would prolong the state’s reliance on dirty fracked gas projects like the Iroquois Pipeline Co. proposal.

“New York needs less fracked gas, not more. That New York is on the brink of enacting a nation-leading ban on gas in new buildings only underlines this reality. True to form, the fossil fuel industry is pushing climate-wrecking bills and the dirty Iroquois pipeline expansion in a last-ditch attempt to lock New Yorkers into their toxic product — Governor Hochul must not fall for the industry’s desperate ploy.” said Food & Water Watch Senior New York Organizer Laura Shindell. “She must direct her DEC to deny air permits for Iroquois Pipeline Company’s gas expansion proposal, and exclude S6030/A6039 from the budget.”

If approved, the Iroquois fracked gas expansion proposal would increase the volume of gas that is pushed through a 37-year-old pipeline that runs 414 miles from the NY/Canadian border, south into Long Island and New York City. The expansion would require doubling the size of polluting fracked gas compressor stations in Greene and Dutchess Counties, as well as two more in Connecticut before entering into the Long Island Sound and back into New York. Downstate corporate utilities National Grid and Con Edison claim an increase of gas is needed despite Local Law 97 and Intro 2317, which ramp down fossil fuel emissions from existing and new buildings. Both laws take effect next year.

“Over thirty years ago the Iroquois Pipeline ripped through this state, and across my town of Dover. They divided farmland, cut through streams and rivers – they broke environmental laws, and disregarded proper, and safe construction methods. Their acts were so egregious, Iroquois executives and their subcontractors were brought up on felony charges. They faced a massive fine by the EPA, the second largest to the horrible Exxon Valdez oil spill,” said Charlie Quimby of Concerned Citizens of Dover.

“For four years we’ve been commenting to FERC and the DEC that the “Iroquois” pipeline expansion by compression proposal benefits no New Yorker, upstate or downstate,” said Mary Finneran, frontline resident near the Athens Compressor Station. “Its sole purpose is to perpetuate the use of “natural” gas in order to feed the profits of fossil fuel corporations and private corporations posing as public utilities.” 

“It is, or should be, the responsibility of elected officials and state agencies to protect their constituents’ health and safety,” said Cari Gardner, frontline resident near the Athens Compressor Station and member of New York Progressive Action Network, Green Co. “If the “Iroquois” Enhancement by Compression air permit is NOT denied, then they are not doing their job. We need to think about this when we vote.”

Senator Michelle Hinchey said, “New York is a model for what Climate action should look like, and the Iroquois Pipeline Company’s plan to increase fossil fuel infrastructure is misaligned with the climate goals we have enshrined in State Law. We must continue to lead the way toward a clean energy economy and uphold our commitment to protect the health and safety of our region by denying this pipeline expansion.”

A Food & Water Watch analysis found that compressor stations like those that would be expanded under the Iroquois EXC proposal emit ozone and smog-forming particulate matter linked to asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, low birthweight in babies, and certain cancers. 140 people overwhelmed a public hearing this Spring on the project, with 98% of speakers opposed. An additional 3,300 comments have been submitted in opposition to the project. 

The fight against the Iroquois pipeline parallels a fracked gas pipeline fight in North Brooklyn in which corporate utility National Grid withdrew their application for the same type of air permit proposed to the DEC after three years of sustained community resistance against liquefied fracked gas (LNG) vaporizers last month. National Grid’s application withdrawal follows a Public Service Commission verdict deeming the proposal unnecessary. The vaporizers were one part of the segmented North Brooklyn Pipeline project targeted to traverse Black and Brown, and Disadvantaged Communities despite a demonstrated lack of current and future need.

“Governor Hochul and Commissioner Seggos have to prove to New York and the world that they are climate leaders and deny and retire this decrepit fracked gas pipeline for good, no more delay games,” said Kim Fraczek, Director of Sane Energy Project, a lead organization of the NoNBK Pipeline Alliance and Stop “Iroquois” Pipeline Compressors. “Right now, it’s local working families who are losing sleep, time, and money organizing and lobbying for their health, safety, and futures while the Governor entertains the fossil fuel industry’s priorities. It is a shameful outrage that she might negotiate away climate justice with National Grid, a UK-based corporation behind Senator Parker’s sick bill, and main actor behind the “Iroquois” pipeline.”

Photos and video available here.

Press Contact: Phoebe Galt [email protected]

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