A U.S. Court of Appeals ruled on August 15 that the Millennium Pipeline Company had properly sited a large compressor station, and the company may continue to operate it, even though it is in the midst of a residential neighborhood.

The matter earlier caused a rare split in a vote in the matter by the commissioners of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), in part because there was an alternative site, which would not have impacted a residential area, that could have been used for the compressor station, The residents, who formed the group Stop the Minisink Compressor Station (StopMCS), waged a spirited and very public campaign to keep the compressor station from opening, and, once it started operations, to close it down.

The residents now may attempt an appeal or ask for a rehearing.

Asha Canalos of StopMCS sent an email after the news came down, which said, “It’s impossible to describe how disappointed we are.

“We are still digesting the fine points of the decision and discussing them with our lawyer. We’ll be sending out more details very soon. Please know that this is a difficult time for us, and we may not be as quick to respond as we’d like.

“From joining us at rallies in Minisink and NYC, providing valuable feedback and resources to the Minisink community since 2011, to standing with us at the U.S. Court of Appeals hearing in DC on May 1, many of you across the state and the region have been an integral part of this effort. Incredible gratitude to all.”