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Federal Agency Approves Controversial Algonquin Pipeline Expansion

WESTCHESTER COUNTY, N.Y. -- The controversial Algonquin Pipeline expansion proposal has received approval from a federal agency that conducted an environmental review for the project.

A screen shot of the map for Spectra Energy's Algonquin Pipeline expansion proposal.

A screen shot of the map for Spectra Energy's Algonquin Pipeline expansion proposal.

Photo Credit: Spectra Energy/Screen shot

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) issued its approval decision on Tuesday with details presentation in a 66-page document that included expansions for the conclusion.

The proposal is from Spectra Energy. It involves replacing about 20.1 miles of natural gas pipeline that is 26 inches in diameter with larger pipeline material of 42 inches in diameter, according to FERC.

An existing compressor station in the Putnam County town of Southeast would undergo several changes, according to FERC. The work includes adding a 10,320-horsepower compressor unit that is natural-gas fired and adding gas cooling for it, FERC notes.

The pipeline goes through Rockland County, crosses the Hudson River to Westchester and Putnam before crossing the Connecticut state line into Fairfield County, according to FERC.

Critics of the project have expressed concerns about air quality and the safety of material from the pipeline. Several have raised concerns about health problems arising, such as cancer. Another concern stems from the pipeline's proximity to the Indian Point nuclear power plant.

In its decision, FERC responds public concerns and states its conclusions on them, citing a Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) that was conducted for the review. 

In its decision, FERC finds that potential emissions for most materials at the Southeast station, along with another one in Stony Point, will be lower than currently due to removal of existing compressors and modifications of current equipment.

FERC also expressed support for mitigation measures meant to deal with methane emissions. The agency also touched upon concern regarding radioactive decay products in the pipeline, noting that they have relatively short half lives that will result in the amount of it being limited. FERC addressed the applicant's annual inspections and cleanings of the pipeline.

Regarding proximity to Indian Point, FERC notes that Entergy, the nuclear plant's operator, performed a safety evaluation and submitted it to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), which in turn conducted a review.

"The NRC concluded that a breach and explosion of the proposed 42-inch-diameter natural gas pipeline would not adversely impact the safe operation of the Indian Point facility," FERC's conclusion states. "Therefore, the final EIS concludes that the project will not result in increased safety impacts at the Indian Point facility."

Susan Van Dolsen, a Harrison resident and co-founder of the group Stop The Algonquin Pipeline Expansion, expressed disappointment in the approval.

Van Dolsen blasted FERC, calling it a "rubber-stamp agency" and accusing it of having disregard for the area's elected officials, who had given their own feedback during the review process.

Van Dolsen also expressed her concern about safety and the Indian Point proximity.

The pipeline expansion is still subject to approval from the state's Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), which held a public hearing in January.

The project has received support from construction-union members who cite its creation of jobs and argue it would be an improvement over the current pipeline.

A copy of FERC's approval decision is available here.

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