To: Douglas Hoskins, Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (“DEEP”), Douglas Hoskins, Rep. John Larson (CT-1), Rep. Joe Courtney (CT-2), Rep. Rosa DeLauro (CT-3), Rep. James Himes (CT-4), Rep. Jahana Hayes (CT-5), Sen. Richard Bl...
Stop The Algonquin Pipeline Expansion Project in Connecticut
We the undersigned ask the CT Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) NOT TO APPROVE The Water Quality Certification for the Algonquin Pipeline Expansion Project (AIM) in CT. (Application No. WQC-201402949). We also petition our elected officials to address our concerns regarding this issue.
Although this project is dangerously close to becoming a reality, many CT residents are unaware of the plan's existence. Spectra Energy's subsidiary Algonquin Gas Transmission LLC plans to construct the Algonquin Incremental Market (AIM) pipeline infrastructure across New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island and Massachusetts. Many towns and cities in CT will be impacted including Cromwell, Danbury, Franklin, Lebanon, Montville, Norwich and Rocky Hill. The plan includes the expansion of approximately 17,171 feet of buried natural gas pipeline replacing the 26 inch diameter pipeline with 42 inch pipeline. This increase in size and pressure along with the expansion of compressor and metering stations may put our environment at risk as well as the health and safety of our citizens. The most alarming part of Spectra Energy's plan is to expand its 26 inch pipeline to a massive high pressure 42 inch pipeline just 1500 feet from the Indian Point nuclear power station. The gas in the pipelines will come from fracking the Marcellus Shale in Pennsylvania. Large amounts of methane are released during the processing, storage and distribution of natural gas. Methane is a greenhouse gas far more effective at trapping heat in the atmosphere than carbon dioxide. Enviornmentalists and citizens are concerned that this investment in gas infrastructure will ultimately subvert the needed expansion of the green energy economy.
Although this project is dangerously close to becoming a reality, many CT residents are unaware of the plan's existence. Spectra Energy's subsidiary Algonquin Gas Transmission LLC plans to construct the Algonquin Incremental Market (AIM) pipeline infrastructure across New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island and Massachusetts. Many towns and cities in CT will be impacted including Cromwell, Danbury, Franklin, Lebanon, Montville, Norwich and Rocky Hill. The plan includes the expansion of approximately 17,171 feet of buried natural gas pipeline replacing the 26 inch diameter pipeline with 42 inch pipeline. This increase in size and pressure along with the expansion of compressor and metering stations may put our environment at risk as well as the health and safety of our citizens. The most alarming part of Spectra Energy's plan is to expand its 26 inch pipeline to a massive high pressure 42 inch pipeline just 1500 feet from the Indian Point nuclear power station. The gas in the pipelines will come from fracking the Marcellus Shale in Pennsylvania. Large amounts of methane are released during the processing, storage and distribution of natural gas. Methane is a greenhouse gas far more effective at trapping heat in the atmosphere than carbon dioxide. Enviornmentalists and citizens are concerned that this investment in gas infrastructure will ultimately subvert the needed expansion of the green energy economy.
Why is this important?
We urge all to sign this petition because time is of the essence. The Algonquin Pipeline Expansion Project will impact citizens of New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island and Massachusetts. There are only a few weeks left before the CT Department of Energy and Environmental Protection makes a final decision regarding its certification of water quality for the Incremental market (AIM) pipeline expansion project. Spectra Energy could start construction of the AIM project as early March 2015. After that Spectra Energy will be on track to push for similar pipeline expansion projects, including the Atlantic Bridge and Access Northeast. The health and safety of our citizens as well as the protection of our environment should be our top priority.
For more information contact Martha Klein, CT Sierra Club Communication Chair email: [email protected]
For more information contact Martha Klein, CT Sierra Club Communication Chair email: [email protected]