One of the largest and most outrageously unnecessary projects yet proposed is the Kinder Morgan "NED" (Northeast Energy Direct) pipeline, which would span from Pennsylvania through New York (along an almost identical route as the Constitution) then cross over into Massachusetts and New Hamphire. The stated purpose of the line is to bring gas to New England, but MA residents have already shown there is no true demand for this gas, exposing the real reason the builders want it: to connect to a proposed export terminal in Nova Scotia.
Background: Kinder Morgan (KM) / Tennessee Gas Pipeline (TGP) pre-filed this project on Sept. 15, 2014 (Docket #PF14-22). The project includes new pipeline segments, laterals, loops, metering and compressor stations. To view an interactive online map, click here (the route is approximate). This pipeline crosses areas that have never had pipelines before and would never have experienced drilling.
On Dec. 8, 2014, following heavy local organizing by opponents, a new “preferred route” was filed, which moved some portions out of Columbia County, NY and into Rensselaer County, NY, as well as further north into Berkshire County, MA and into southern New Hampshire, before re-entering Massachusetts at the terminal hub in Dracut. The new route contains an extra compressor station as well.
Because of all the resistance pipelines have been generating, activists were way out in front on this project well before it was officially activated in the FERC system. Although it is only 4 months since the pre-filing, already all 400 landowners between Wright, NY and the MA border (including the alternative route in Rensselaer County) have been contacted by local activists. So far, 44 town resolutions have been passed in Massachusetts (none yet in NY but stay tuned).
More info for NY residents here.
More info for MA residentshere.
The NED line would connect in Dracut, MA with the existing Maritimes & Northeast line, owned by Spectra/Algonquin. That line is also proposed for enlargement and will connect to a newly approved LNG export terminal in Nova Scotia.
The project is still early in its process. At this point, Kinder Morgan is conducting a series of “open houses,” informal “trade show” meetings where KM reps have displays and mingle with townspeople to answer questions and make their sales pitch. There is no comment period open yet.
New York Area Open Houses:• MONDAY, FEBRUARY 9, New Lebanon, NY, 6–8PM,
New Lebanon Junior-Senior HS,
14665 NY Route 22, New Lebanon, NY 12125, Map
• TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 10, Pittsfield, MA, 6–8PM,
Berkshire Community College Cafeteria,
1350 West St., Pittsfield, MA, Map
• THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 12, New Scotland, NY, 6–8PM,
Colonie Country Club,
141 Maple Rd., Voorheesville, NY 12186, Map
The full list of open houses can be found here. Stakeholders may participate in Open Houses however they are comfortable; there may be rallies outside, or spreading information inside. Participants are asked to please keep it friendly, professional, non-confrontational.
