DEC Extends Public Comment Period On Proposed Constitution Pipeline Until FEB. 27th

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) today extended the public comment period on the draft permit for the proposed, federally regulated Constitution Pipeline and an upgrade to the Iroquois Wright Compressor station in Schoharie County by an additional 28 days. Public comments on the propose project will now be accepted until close of business on Friday, February 27.

The Constitution Pipeline is a proposed interstate natural gas pipeline that would traverse though Broome, Chenango, Delaware and Schoharie counties. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) was responsible for conducting an environmental review of the project and has the authority to approve the pipeline route. FERC issued a final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) in October, which can be viewed at: http://elibrary.FERC.gov/idmws/file_list.asp?accession_num=20141024-4001.

DEC maintains the authority to review applications for specific permits and approvals, including an Air Title V permit for the proposed compressor station upgrade, as well as a Water Quality Certification, a Protection of Waters permit, a Water Withdrawal permit and a Freshwater Wetlands permit for state-protected wetlands and adjacent areas.

Written comments should be submitted to:

Stephen M. Tomasik
DEC - Division of Environmental Permits
625 Broadway, 4th Floor
Albany, NY 12233-1750
constitution@dec.ny.gov

In addition, people can provide verbal or written comments at the following public meetings:

• Binghamton - Monday, Jan. 12, 2015, 6 p.m. East Middle School Auditorium, 167 East Frederick Street
• Oneonta - Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2015, 6 p.m.
  SUNY Oneonta Lecture Hall IRC #3, 108 Ravine Parkway
• Cobleskill, Wednesday, Jan. 14. 2015, 6 p.m.
  SUNY Cobleskill, Bouck Hall Theater, State Route 7

Copies of the FEIS and DEC permit application documents can be viewed online at: http://www.constitutionpipeline.com/. Printed copies are available at:

The Broome County Public Library, 185 Court St., Binghamton
The Afton Free Library, 105A Main St., Afton
The Bainbridge Free Library, 13 N Main St., Bainbridge.
The Franklin Free Library, 334 Main St., Franklin
Sidney Memorial Public Library, 8 River St., Sidney
Deposit Free Library, 159 Front St., Deposit
The Community Library, 110 Union St., Cobleskill
Schoharie Free Library, 103 Knower Ave., Schoharie

Information on the Iroquois Wright Compressor Station can viewed at: http://www.iroquois.com/documents/WIP_-_NYSDEC_Air_Permit_Application_7-26-13.pdf

Printed copies are also available at:

Schoharie Free Library, 103 Knower Avenue, Schoharie
Town of Wright Municipal Building, 105-3 Factory Street, Gallupville