COOPERSTOWN -- A federal agency Thursday directed the Constitution Pipeline planners to determine the feasibility and costs of locating the natural gas transmission system within four existing routes that move natural gas.
The existing pipelines mentioned by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission are operated by the Millenium Pipeline Co., Tennessee Gas Pipeline Co., Dominion Transmission Inc. and Transcontinental Gas Pipeline Inc.
The directive was sent by Pamela Romano of FERC's Division of Pipeline Certificates to William H. Hammons, team leader for the Constitution Pipeline. The venture was launched by Williams Partners and Cabot Oil and Gas to run natural gas to the Boston and New York City regions via a new pipe, which would run from Susquehanna County, Pa., to a Schoharie County terminus.
The suggestion of having the Pennsylvania shale gas reach the Eastern Seaboard through existing pipes had been made to FERC last month by a Constitution Pipeline opponent, Anne Marie Garti of East Meredith. She said she believes the project is unnecessary and would end up taking in gas from hydrofracked New York wells. The pipeline planners have repeatedly said the latter scenario is not under consideration, insisting the system is for gas from Pennsylvania.
Christopher Stockton, a spokesman for the pipeline project, said in an email that the pipelines cited by FERC as potential alternates "are fully subscribed and currently serving other needs." "Fully subscribed" is an industry term denoting a particular pipeline is under contract to handle its capacity based on its compression level.
Stockton also noted in his response to a query from The Daily Star that "the Constitution Pipeline project is unique in that there is no pipeline currently connecting supplies in north and central Pennsylvania to the existing pipeline infrastructure in northern New York (Iroquois and Tennessee pipelines)."
Garti said that the alternate routes, even though they are not a straight shot to the Boston and New York City markets, should still be given strong consideration by FERC. She said Williams and Cabot could still connect to them with shorter stretches of pipe and could simply add compressors to allow for them to handle more volume.
"They are not supposed to cut new pathways through virgin territories if there is alternative available to co-locate the pipeline," Garti said. She argued the FERC directive suggests the project may now be in jeopardy.
On a related front, Joseph Mirabito, chief executive officer of Mirabito Holdings, said efforts continue to develop a natural gas distribution network in the area of Sidney and Coventry by acquiring access to rights-of-way for the installation of 6-inch plastic piping that could eventually take gas from the Constitution Pipeline.
Last year, some media reports referred to that project as the "Leatherstocking Pipeline." Mirabito said it never was intended to be a pipeline, but rather a local distribution network involving a pipe a fraction of the size of what would be used in the Constitution Pipeline.
Mirabito said the volume of gas that could be available to such a network would be far greater if the Constitution Pipeline can be tapped locally. Only a limited amount of gas would have been available had the network had to rely on local conventional gas wells, he said.
That project is being spearheaded by Leatherstocking Gas Co., which was formed by Mirabito's company and Corning Gas.
Local News
Feds ask pipeline planners to eye existing routes
- Local News
-
-
Grand jury indicts Ganesh Ramsaran for 2nd degree murder
A Chenango County grand jury today handed up an indictment charging Ganesh "Remy" Ramsaran with second-degree murder in connection with the Dec. 11 killing of his 36-year-old wife, Jennifer, in the couple's home at 473 Sheff Road in New Berlin.
-
Power restored in downtown Oneonta
After about a 4:30-minute power failure, power was restored to downtown Oneonta at 2:30 p.m., according to Ann Carnrike, field customer service representative for New York State Electric and Gas.
-
Ramsaran released on $300K bail
Accused killer Ganesh "Remy" Ramsaran was freed from Chenango County Jail on Wednesday afternoon after he and relatives posted $300,000 worth of real estate to meet bail conditions set by County Judge Frank Revoir Jr.
-
OHS climbers eye state's highest peak
Two Oneonta High School seniors plan to climb the state's highest mountain Friday to raise money for a nonprofit that promotes female empowerment.
-
Area trooper commander to retire
-
Police investigate fire at Delaware County shop
State police, county and state fire investigators are looking into the cause of a blaze at the New and Old Curiosity Shoppe on state Route 28 in the town of Middletown, Delaware County.
-
Common Council to consider project on Spruce Street
A $1.7 million construction project along Spruce Street will be the topic of a public information meeting in Common Council Chambers at 6 tonight.
-
Cuomo proposes SUNY tax-free zones
New York state would provide a tax-free environment on and around State University campuses under an initiative announced Wednesday by Gov. Andrew Cuomo.
-
Planners continue Blodgett plan review
Oneonta planners revisited answers pertaining to storm water drainage, traffic and noise Wednesday night as it continued considering environmental factors of a proposed student housing complex.
-
One local school budget defeated
-
Rx forms missing from hospital
About 800 blank prescription forms are missing from Bassett Medical Center, Otsego County District Attorney John Muehl said Wednesday.
-
University women's group to hold final luncheon
After almost 75 years advocating for women and providing community programs, a local group will have a final luncheon today that also will mark its accomplishments.
- Wednesday, May 22, 2013
-
Ramsaran freed on $300,000 bail
Accused killer Ganesh "Remy" Ramsaran was freed from Chenango County Jail this afternoon after he and relatives posted $300,000 worth of real estate to meet bail conditions set by County Judge Frank Revoir Jr.
-
Area school budgets get voters' OK
With schools in the area proposing budgets at or below the state tax cap, all districts reporting by 10 p.m. said voters approved their spending plans.
-
School budget voting results
-
Tree-killing insect found near Unadilla
A tiny pest with a big appetite for ash trees has arrived in Delaware and Otsego counties, according to the state Department of Environmental Conservation.
-
Roxbury artist's portrait exhibit is a record-breaker
ROXBURY -- Greg Frederick is an artist who has likely broken more records than anyone reading this story today. By records, we mean that relic of the musical recording industry -- vinyl long-playing albums (the ones with the small hole in the center) and 45 revs per minute single records (the ones with the considerably larger hole in the center).
-
Bruni to step down after 30 years
Children's programs, a computerized card catalog and online access to a world of information are among changes ushered in at the Huntington Memorial Library in Oneonta by Marie Bruni since she became library director 30 years ago. "It's been great,'' Bruni, who plans to retire, told the Oneonta Common Council during a meeting in City Hall on Tuesday night.
- Tuesday, May 21, 2013
-
State investigation seeks missing Bassett Rx pads
The state is investigating the possible theft of blank prescription pads from Bassett Medical Center, a spokeswoman for the hospital confirmed Monday.
-
Classes resume after threats at schools
School was opened on schedule at two area schools where Internet threats caused lockdowns Friday afternoon, two superintendents said Monday as the investigations continued.
-
Grand jury indicts Ganesh Ramsaran for 2nd degree murder
