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East Greenbush Town Board Opposes E37 Pipeline Project

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The Town of East Greenbush, in New York State, has issued a resolution opposing the E37 Pipeline Project, citing concerns over safety, environmental impacts, and the potential threat to the community's health and welfare. National Grid, the company proposing the pipeline, has applied for a Certificate of Environmental Compatibility and Public Need (CECPN) from the New York State Public Service Commission (PSC). However, local residents and officials are raising red flags over the potential consequences of the project.

Key Takeaways:

  • The E37 Pipeline Project proposes to install approximately 7.3 miles of new 16-inch diameter natural gas transmission pipeline within the Town of Bethlehem, under the Hudson River, and through the Town of East Greenbush into the Town of North Greenbush.
  • The project will carry natural gas extracted through hydraulic fracturing, or "fracking," which has been linked to contamination of clean water resources, toxic air emissions, and radioactive waste.
  • Representatives from National Grid were unable to specify the length of pipeline within the Town of East Greenbush, and were unable to provide a definitive percentage of the proposed pipeline that would be outside of their existing Right of Way.
  • The project faces opposition from local residents, who depend on ground water and public community water systems for potable water supplies, and are concerned about the potential impact on their health and safety.
  • The Mid-Hudson Regional Sustainability Plan calls for reducing energy and fossil fuel intensity, while strengthening the regional economy and improving the resilience of the energy delivery system, making the E37 Pipeline Project inconsistent with these goals.
  • The East Greenbush Town Board has resolved to oppose the project, urge Governor Cuomo to reject it, and direct the Town Clerk to forward copies of the resolution to relevant state and federal officials.

Statistics:

  • 7.3 miles: length of new pipe proposed to be installed under the Hudson River and through the Town of East Greenbush.
  • 16 inches: diameter of the new natural gas transmission pipeline.
  • 300 pounds per square inch: maximum allowable operating pressure of the pipeline.
  • 10 surface valve site facilities: planned to be installed in the Town of East Greenbush to provide blowdown.
  • 125 pounds per square inch: PSI threshold for gas transmission facilities subject to subdivision three of PSL Section 121-a of Article VII.

Sources:

  • Town of East Greenbush 96-2019 A Resolution Opposing the E37 Pipeline, New York State Department of Public Service.

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