Chambers form energy-buying pool

PENNSYLVANIA — To help local businesses mitigate increases in energy costs, the Hawley-Lake Wallenpaupack, Southern Wayne Regional and Wayne County chambers of commerce have enlisted the services of OnDemand Energy to create an aggregated buying pool. The pool will buy electricity in bulk for a fixed time period as a way to lock in a lower price for businesses that are chamber members and participating in the pool. The Hawley-Lake Wallenpaupack, Southern Wayne Regional and Wayne County chambers of commerce are joined in this effort by a number of PA Chambers and its partners representing ChamberChoice.

There will be an information session for businesses to learn more on Thursday, October 29 at 1:00 p.m. at the Wayne County Visitor Center, 32 Commercial Street, Honesdale. For more information call 570/253-1960.

Gillibrand calls for extended comment period on drilling

WASHINGTON, DC — U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, a member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee has called for an extended public comment period on the natural gas drilling in the Marcellus Shale. New York State released its environmental impact statement (EIS) late last month and will begin a series of public meetings on October 28. Currently, New York State is only providing two months for public comment. Due to the significance and complexity of this issue and the high degree of public interest in hydraulic fracturing, Senator Gillibrand is urging New York State to extend the public comment period to 90 days.

Gillibrand also called on the state to hold hearings and solicit comments in each of New York’s major cities, as well as communities directly within affected watersheds.

DEP says Cabot may resume fracking

WILLIAMSPORT, PA — The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has granted Cabot Oil and Gas Corp. approval to resume hydro fracturing operations on gas wells in Susquehanna County after the company complied with the terms of a September 24 order to cease such work there.

The September 24 order stopped all hydrofracking operations at each site throughout the county in response to three separate spills in less than one week at the company’s Heitsman well in Dimock Township. About 8,000 gallons of a water/liquid gel mixture were lost during the spills, which polluted Stevens Creek and a nearby wetland.

In the engineering study, Cabot noted that the 240-foot elevation difference between the tank farm and the Heitsman well pad was greater than had been encountered at previous fracking locations, indicating that stronger equipment and a different water transfer system design may be needed. It also presented five administrative corrective measures and 12 engineering corrective measures in its engineering study.

County employees face budget axe

MONTICELLO, NY — With the Sullivan County budget under heavy pressure from the sluggish economy, county manager David Fanslau has issued a statement warning that layoffs of county government employees will be necessary to close the budget gap. Fanslau said that a little less than 10 percent of the current workforce of approximately 1,100, or about 100 employees, might have to be laid off.

Although the county does have a contingency plan for budget shortfalls that includes reducing expenditures, eliminating vacant positions and instituting a hiring freeze, that plan would produce savings of only $1.7 million dollars compared to the $2.7 or $3.1 million dollars needed, according to Fanslau.

The statement said that reductions will be made to union employees and management/confidential employees proportionately, and that meetings with union delegates would be commenced as soon as possible.

Another slap-down for NYRI

WASHINGTON, DC — A final decision has been filed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) that effectively kills New York Regional Interconnect’s (NYRI) efforts to keep alive its suspended power line proposal. The FERC decision denied the request submitted by NYRI for reconsideration of the agency’s prior decisions that would effectively prevent NYRI from tapping ratepayer subsidies for its massive power line proposal. Congressman Maurice Hinchey (D-NY), along with U.S. Reps. Michael A. Arcuri (D-NY) and John Hall (D-NY), had written to the federal agency in July expressing strong opposition to NYRI’s rehearing request and reiterating their opposition to the project.

“”NYRI submitted its rehearing request to FERC earlier this year, trying once again to pave the way for ratepayer subsidies for its project. FERC’s unequivocal rejection of NYRI’s position and repudiation of NYRI’s arguments finally close the door on the possibility of ratepayer subsidies for this project,” said Hinchey.

Sullivan nets four Federal solar grants

SULLIVAN COUNTY, NY — Congressman Maurice Hinchey (D-NY) and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development State Director Jill Harvey recently announced more than $371,481 in federal loans and grants for 10 local farms to install solar energy systems and make other renewable upgrades that will enable them to dramatically cut their energy consumption. Four of them are in Sullivan County.

Little Texas Ranch in Obernburg will receive $15,201 to install a wind turbine that will generate 55 percent of the farm’s power. Bridle Hill Farm, Jeffersonville, will receive $28,500 to help purchase a solar electric generation system for the farm. Maple Syrup, Inc., Parksville, will receive $7,588 to help purchase energy efficient maple syrup production equipment. And Thunder View Farms, Grahamsville, will receive $29,313 to help purchase a solar electric generation system.