EPA: Can local pipeline plans merge?

The federal Environmental Protection Agency on Friday urged government regulators to study whether the Northeast Energy Direct pipeline could be combined with other projects, rather than constructing a new system that would have a host of environmental impacts.

The EPA, in a scoping comment on the 412-mile NED pipeline proposed by Tennessee Gas Co., also advised the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission that the gas demand addressed by NED's application could be met by renewable forms of energy such as solar and wind power or be met by other pipeline expansion projects in the region.

"EPA also suggests that the EIS (environmental impact statement) discussion of routing alternatives discuss whether appropriate adjacent sections of the NED and Constitution Pipeline through New York can be combined or co-located to further avoid or minimize the total environmental impact from both projects," the EPA said in its comment on the NED proposal.

The $3.3 billion NED project would run across several New York counties, including Chenango, Delaware and Schoharie, before heading into New England and ending at Dracut, Mass. It would run in close proximity to the proposed Constitution Pipeline for considerable stretches on its way to the Schoharie County community of Wright.

EPA also urged FERC to study the potential human health impacts from the proposed NED compressor stations. Two such compressors would be in the town of Schoharie, and a third would be in the Delaware County town of Franklin.

"EPA also suggests that the EIS discuss the complete range of mitigation measures/design technologies that will be implemented to reduce emissions from project compressor stations during all phases of project operation," the EPA said in the letter.

The state Department of Environmental Conservation also filed a lengthy scoping comment on the NED project Friday. The project would require several permits from the state agency.

The DEC reiterated its position that Tennessee Gas be urged to provide an analysis of locating the pipeline along the Interstate 88 corridor as it makes its way from Pennsylvania to Schoharie County.

The state agency also pointed out that the FERC has required Tennessee Gas to "evaluate the feasibility of a single pipeline alternative combining the NED project with the Constitution Pipeline project for the Supply Path Component."

The supply path is the stretch of pipeline that would run from Pennsylvania to Wright.

The Constitution Pipeline only needs approvals from the state DEC before it can commence construction. Constitution Pipeline spokesman Christopher Stockton said in a response to an inquiry from The Daily Star that his company is not involved with discussions with Tennessee Gas for a combined pipeline.

"Right now our focus is on obtaining the last remaining approvals so we can begin pipeline construction," Stockton said. "We have not had any discussions with other pipeline companies about adding additional partners."