Compressor opposition forming ranks

DAVID HULSE
Posted 8/21/12

ELDRED, NY — As it did successfully with the natural gas industry’s fracking efforts, the Town of Highland is preparing to take on Goliath again.

Following a lengthy public input session …

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Compressor opposition forming ranks

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ELDRED, NY — As it did successfully with the natural gas industry’s fracking efforts, the Town of Highland is preparing to take on Goliath again.

Following a lengthy public input session at the town board’s February 9 meeting, the board directed town attorney Michael Davidoff to prepare a resolution opposing Millennium Pipeline’s plan to install a 22,400 horsepower natural gas compressor station off State Route 55, near the junction of Highland, Tusten and Bethel.

The Town of Bethel and Eldred Central School Board have reportedly also approved similar resolutions, and the towns of Tusten and Lumberland are considering them.

Davidoff summarized Millennium’s plans, which include a request that the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) issue an order approving their upgrade project by July 31, 2017, with construction beginning that fall, and placing the station into service in September of 2018.

Davidoff said the lengthy review process would allow lots of time for intervention and the project was not a “fait accompli.”

Town Clerk Doreen Hanson said the town had received some 60 emails opposing the project, most seeking a public health impact study.

Opposition to the project will face an uphill battle, said Milford, PA resident Greg Latorto, who has been fighting an upgrade of a compressor station in his town. “You don’t want it here,” he said.

“FERC is not a federal agency,” he claimed. “It’s funded by the gas companies and is a rubber stamp.”

In fact, despite extensive public opposition, FERC has recently approved upgrades of two existing compressor stations in Pike County: on May 29, 2012 for Tennessee Gas Pipeline Co. LLC, in Lackawaxen, and on December 18, 2014 for Columbia Gas Transmission LLC in Milford Township. FERC also recently approved new compressor stations in the towns of Minisink and Hancock.

Supervisor Jeff Haas said the board was not ready to take any immediate action, and Davidoff added that “a resolution with teeth,” was needed first.

One resident wanted action. “This is a perfect little town, like heaven. Do we know what’s waiting for us? We have the knowledge. This is the moment,” she said.

The town’s two county legislators, Nadia Rajsz and Scott Samuelson, attended. Rajsz noted that Sullivan County already ranks very low, statewide, in terms of public health, and studies show emissions from these stations contain harmful chemicals. “So why here… Why would we want this three miles away from our schools?” she said.

Bethel pediatrician Larysa Dyrszka agreed about the risk to nearby residents.

Private school operator Pete Comstock of Lumberland admitted it was a “David and Goliath situation,” but with a regional effort, “if we stick together we have a chance.”

“We can’t do it alone,” Rajsz added.

“What’s the harm [in a resolution]?” a man asked. “We don’t want to pressure you, but it would be a benefit for us… It would make everybody very happy,” he said.

“I’m pissed off,” said Councilman Jim Gutekunst. “I want to formulate a plan and go after these guys,” he said.

“I work with gas lines every day,” said Councilman Scott Hallock. “Sometimes I’m late getting to meetings because I’m fixing a gas leak. I don’t want it here,” he said.

Several people volunteered to help in the effort.

After some consultation between Haas and Davidoff, the board moved to direct Davidoff to prepare a resolution for the March meeting.

An ad hoc citizens’ group, Sullivan County Residents Against Millennium (SCRAM), has scheduled a public information meeting on the compressor issue, which is scheduled to take place at the Eldred Central School on Saturday morning February 20, at 10 a.m. Visit the group’s Facebook page for more.

In other business, following a public hearing, the board approved Local Law 1 of 2016, which amends town zoning.

The law deletes planned unit and cluster development in all zones; amends the definition of multiple-family units to include “no more than three families;” deletes “one multiple-family dwelling” as a special permitted use in R-1 zones; limits them to three units in H-C zones; deletes them as permitted uses and special permitted uses “on less than 15% slope” in the WLRD zone; deletes educational institutions as permitted or special permitted uses in the R-1, R-2 and WLRD zones; deletes boardinghouses and hotel and motels as permitted uses in R-2 zones; and requires site-plan approval for all uses other than single-family homes.

Haas said the state Department of Homeland Security has gone through the planning board’s pre-approval process for the erection of a 40-foot weather reporting tower—one of 125 to be built around the state—which is to be solar powered and located behind the Senior Citizens Center.

He reported that the town is negotiating with the National Park Service regarding the National Park Service law enforcement contract, for an increase in the $16,000 annual allotment.

The board also approved requests for state speed reduction studies along State Route 97 in Barryville and along State Route 55 and County Route 32 in Eldred.

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