Spectra " Representatives" Expelled From FERC meeting
On the 22nd of September, outraged "representatives" of Spectra Energy were kicked out of the monthly meeting of FERC for whining about the possibility of a “stop work order” on Spectra’s Algonquin Incremental Market (AIM) pipeline project.
The AIM Pipeline is a 42-inch-diameter, high-pressure, fracked gas pipeline, which, if completed, will run through residential communities in Westchester, New York, and within 105 feet of critical Indian Point Nuclear Power Plant safety facilities. On August 28th, workers for the AIM pipeline experienced a break in the drill stem as they were preparing to drill under the Hudson River. They proceeded to excavate a nearby wetland to access the lost drill stem (even though it turned out that they were excavating in the wrong place). FERC issued a letter to reprimand the company on September 9th, hinting that they might issue a "stop work" order on the project.
“Who do you think you are?” shouted Shay O’Reilly, a Spectra representative as he was being escorted from the room. “We pay your salary!” FERC is funded entirely through fees that it collects from the energy companies.
Afterwards, an unrelated group of climate advocates from Beyond Extreme Energy and Resist Spectra went to New York Senator Charles Schumer’s office, calling on the Senator to apply further pressure on FERC to stop the AIM Pipeline. Many groups along the pipeline route are calling for a halt to construction, and issued a formal letter calling for an immediate halt earlier today.
Today’s action is the latest development in an ongoing effort to stop Spectra Energy from constructing their massive Algonquin Incremental Market Expansion project. On August 3rd, both New York Senators wrote to FERC, calling for an immediate halt to construction of the pipeline; FERC has dismissed the Senators’ request. Earlier, on February 29, 2016, New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo called for an immediate halt to construction while the state conducts an independent risk assessment. FERC has the legal authority to issue a stop work order, yet continues to ignore elected officials' calls for protection of public safety.
FERC’s irresponsibility is coming under increased scrutiny. Just two days ago, more than 180 organizations representing communities across America called on leaders in the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee and House Energy and Commerce Committee to hold congressional hearings into the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s (FERC) extensive history of bias and abuse (see the attached letter). Now is the time to stop FERC and stop the AIM Pipeline.
Security removing a Spectra "lobbyist" from the monthly meeting of FERC. the Federal Energ Regulatory Commission
