Resolution #27 of 2015

Resolution #27 of 2015

RESOLUTION STATING OPPOSITION TO THE KINDER MORGAN NATURAL GAS PIPELINE PROPOSED TO BE ROUTED THROUGH STEPHENTOWN

WHEREAS, A large natural gas pipeline called the Northeast Energy Direct (NED) pipeline project, has been proposed by Kinder Morgan and its subsidiary Tennessee Gas Pipeline, LLC, to be routed through Rensselaer County, including the entire width of the Town of Stephentown; and

WHEREAS,  The proposed NED pipeline would transport natural gas from other parts of the country for intended export out of New York State and possibly overseas, with no natural gas benefits to the residents of Rensselaer County or the Town of Stephentown; and

WHEREAS, The project applicant, Kinder Morgan, is seeking federal eminent domain status to allow for property to be secured for the routing of the pipeline, including properties in the Town of Stephentown; and

WHEREAS, The proposed NED pipeline would be much larger, up to 36 inches in diameter, and operate at much higher pressures, up to 1460 psi, than currently operating natural gas pipelines in this area; and

WHEREAS, The proposed NED pipeline route through the Town of Stephentown would closely follow the high voltage right-of-way presently owned and operated by National Grid, raising reasonable concern for the detrimental interaction between the pipeline and the electromagnetic fields established by the high voltage wires; and

WHEREAS, The thickness/strength of the proposed NED pipeline, the depth at which it would buried in the ground and the inspection methods for the necessary welds are proposed to be significantly less for our rural area than those required for urban areas; and

WHEREAS, Property values in the vicinity of the proposed NED pipeline are likely to be significantly reduced if it is constructed, adversely impacting future development in the Town of Stephentown; and

WHEREAS, The proposed NED pipeline could cause disruption and undue burdens for emergency services and would significantly increase the potential for catastrophic damage to lives, property, roadways, streams, and wetlands in our small, rural community; and

WHEREAS, The Stephentown Town Board believes the level of compensation and mitigation that may potentially be offered by the developers of the proposed NED pipeline would not outweigh the long term fiscal, health, safety, environmental and quality of life impacts to our community; and

WHEREAS, The Stephentown Town Board understands that a huge majority of Stephentown residents, as evidenced by many letters, emails and phone calls, the attendance and participation at an Open Form hosted by Stephentown residents, a Public Hearing hosted by the Stephentown Town Board, and numerous regular meetings of the Stephentown Town Board, are adamantly opposed to the construction and operation of the proposed NED pipeline; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, The Stephentown Town Board does hereby declare its strong opposition to the construction of the proposed NED pipeline through the Town of Stephentown; and, be it further

RESOLVED, The Stephentown Town Board requests that , because of the abundant un-answered concerns and questions brought forth by townspeople, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) deny a certificate of public convenience and necessity to Kinder Morgan and the Tennessee Gas Pipeline Company for the construction of the proposed NED pipeline; and, be it further

RESOLVED, The Stephentown Town Clerk is hereby directed to transmit copies of this resolution to our elected officials: U.S. Senator Charles Schumer, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, U.S. Congressman Chris Gibson, NYS Governor Andrew Cuomo, NYS Senator Kathy Marchione, NYS Assemblyman Steve McLaughlin, Rensselaer County Legislator Stan Brownell and Rensselaer County Legislator Lester Goodermote; and be it further

RESOLVED, The Stephentown Town Board requests that the Town Boards of our neighboring Rensselaer County towns of Nassau and Schodack pass similar, strong resolutions in opposition to the proposed NED pipeline.

Motion by: Bill Jennings (D) Seconded by: Chris Demick (D)

Votes of: 4 AYE 0 NAY 0 Abstained

This day, Monday, April 20, 2015