Legislators Remain Opposed to Compressor Station Project; Nine Locations Being Considered in Schodack And Nassau
submitted by Rich Crist
Members of the Rensselaer County Legislature today said Kinder Morgan should halt the siting of a compressor station project for a huge natural gas pipeline, saying the gas giant has failed to answer basic questions about the project in over a year.
[private]The announcement by legislators came amidst reports that Kinder Morgan is now considering nine locations in the towns of Schodack and Nassau for a compressor station site. Vice Chair of the Legislature Alex Shannon, and Legislators Judith Breselor and Martin Reid said residents have been strongly in opposition to the pipeline and compressor station project.
The Legislature has passed numerous resolutions in opposition to the project, noting the expected negative effects on health, safety, quality of life, the environment and economic interests. The Legislature has also adopted a drinking water protection law that is considered one of the strongest in the region.
“Residents and local elected officials do not want this project in southern Rensselaer County based on very reasonable concerns about the negative impacts on their families, the environment and property values, among many other reasons,” said Shannon.
“Kinder Morgan has failed to answer very basic questions about the project, despite having more than a year to address concerns. The fact that these questions have not been answered shows that residents and local officials are right to be very wary about the project,” said Reid, who is chair of the Legislature’s Environment Committee.
At the February 9 legislative meeting, legislators are expected to consider other resolutions opposing the Kinder Morgan project and asking the state to deny any state permits based on the fact that so many questions about the project remain unanswered.
“This is a project that could affect the health, safety and quality of life of every resident in the towns of Schodack and Nassau. There is the real possibility of damage to natural resources and the environment. To see the applicant fail to address such basic issues is an act of bad faith and shows that Kinder Morgan is trying to ram this project through, regardless of the consequences,” said Breselor, who is also a member of the Environment Committee.
The Legislature has also supported a resolution seeking Rensselaer County to be granted intervenor status for the pipeline project.[/private]