The back-and-forth arguments involving the proposed Constitutional Pipeline could confuse anyone.
Especially anyone paying close attention.
Contradictory statements from the project's developers and opponents make it hard to determine who are the good guys and who are the bad guys.
Williams Partners, which holds a 75 percent stake in the $750 million enterprise, says that not one wisp of the natural gas the pipeline would carry would ever find its way anywhere overseas.
Critics, however, say that's a lot of _ well _ hot air, and that there will be ways in which the gas will wind up in places outside the United States.
Why this is all so important is that in order to build the pipeline, the developers would require the power of eminent domain.
Simply put, if your house happens to lie in the path of the project, they want to be able to make you accommodate it, even if you don't want to, citing in this case the routing of natural gas being in the national interest.
However, if the gas isn't going to heat American homes and is mainly for the financial benefit of the developers, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) is going to have a big problem with approving the project.
Opponents say that if the pipeline has to be built, it would be best if it were to roughly follow the Interstate 88 corridor so as to avoid most populated areas.
The company, however, wants a more-direct route from drilling sites in Susquehanna County, Pa., to the town of Wright in Schoharie County that would affect about 1,000 property owners.
The company says it will file for FERC's approval of the project in January.
Williams Partners sent FERC a letter recently stating that it would never, ever feed liquefied natural gas (LNG) to any production facilities that would export the stuff.
Pipeline opponent Anne Marie Garti of East Meredith subsequently sent FERC a letter saying not to believe Williams Partners and that gas from the Constitution Pipeline could be mingled with that of other pipelines and then be exported.
"The developers) do not mention the eight pending applications to build LNG export facilities, or to convert existing import facilities to export. Once such facilities are built, or converted, the gas that would flow through the proposed Constitution Pipeline could be sent overseas."
So, if you're keeping score at home, folks, it basically comes down to whom FERC believes.
We remain skeptical that the proposed pipeline is more in the national interest than in the company's. The developers will have to do better than just say "trust us" before eminent domain can come close to being justified.
Editorials
Trust not enough for eminent domain
- Editorials
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Fed ammo theories show who is gullible
Ask 10 people for their thoughts on the National Rifle Association, and you'll likely get a broad range of responses. But on one point, we can all agree - if a threat to the Second Amendment appears, the NRA will find out about it and quickly spread the word. That's why it was nice to see the NRA last summer shoot down one of the more absurd rumors that's been making the rounds: that the federal Department of Homeland Security and other agencies are hoarding massive stockpiles of ammunition for secret, nefarious purposes.
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Schools must find ways to deal with threats
Anonymous threats to schools are nothing new. Through the years, they have consisted -- among other messages -- of anonymous phone calls, magazine or newspaper lettering glued to a letter, and scrawled warnings on a bathroom mirror.
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On our Opinion: Cheers
To the DEP's "The Watershed Experience," the Oneonta High School Envirothon team, and to ROPS rebate funding.
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Make sure you vote in school tax election
School superintendents have it anything but easy in these challenging economic times. In addition to dealing with myriad day-to-day and semester-to-semester issues, they have to have Solomon-like political acumen and management skills.
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Casino in our area worth talking about
If Gov. Andrew Cuomo has his way, casinos will be awarded to three upstate locations.
Continued ... - Friday, May 17, 2013
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Take precautions to prevent kidnappings
It has been nearly two weeks since the arrest of Ariel Castro in Cleveland on rape and kidnapping charges for acts that should send a chill through the spines of everyone in America.
Continued ... - Thursday, May 16, 2013
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IRS, Justice actions violate our trust
After the recent actions of the Internal Revenue Service and the U.S. Justice Department, belief in the integrity of our government is hanging by a very slender thread.
Continued ... - Wednesday, May 15, 2013
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After 40 years, it was time to get married
This newspaper publishes lots of wedding announcements, but one that appeared prominently in Monday's edition was especially heartwarming.
Continued ... - Tuesday, May 14, 2013
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Cheers
To three longtime public servants who recently announced their decisions to leave their posts.
Continued ... - Monday, May 13, 2013
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Military culture of abuse must change
26,000.
Continued ... - Saturday, May 11, 2013
- Remember mothers on their day
- Friday, May 10, 2013
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In Our Opinion: Cellphone alert system can only help
Since the early days of radio, broadcasters have been able to break into programming to alert listeners about dangerous situations.
Continued ... - Thursday, May 9, 2013
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Home rule decision is good for all
What lawyer Thomas West called an "exit strategy" for Gov. Andrew Cuomo, we call common sense, plain and simple.
Continued ... - Wednesday, May 8, 2013
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Internet tax would benefit local businesses
Let's suppose you're the owner of a bicycle business in our area, and a customer comes in to look at a new bike. He asks you questions about it, maybe even sits on it or takes it for a spin. He compares it with other models, looks at the color and checks out what would be the best size for him.
Continued ... - Tuesday, May 7, 2013
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Cheers
To the city of Oneonta's tree giveaway, the town of Hartwick's "Clean Sweep" day, and Bassett Healthcare's patient-centered medical home program.
Continued ... - Monday, May 6, 2013
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In our opinion: Take steps to prevent fire tragedy
Oftentimes it takes a tragedy to remind us to do the little things that may save our lives.
Continued ... - Saturday, May 4, 2013
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Collins deserves to be cheered
It's likely that unless you are a big basketball fan, you never heard of Jason Collins before Monday, when he became the first active player in any of the four major American professional sports to announce that he is gay.
Continued ... - Friday, May 3, 2013
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College's amnesty policy can save lives
The statistics on overdoses among college-age Americans are downright sobering.
Continued ... - Thursday, May 2, 2013
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Reality of sequester is scary enough
"Scare tactics" was a phrase used frequently by President Barack Obama's critics about the sequester.
Continued ... - Wednesday, May 1, 2013
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Let LDC handle Manor sale
It's a dilemma, make no mistake about it.
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Fed ammo theories show who is gullible



