by David Flint
A Town Board public hearing on the proposed Kinder Morgan proposed Northeast Direct Pipeline drew a maximum crowd to the Stephentown Fire Hall Monday evening. When 256 people had entered the hall, the doors were closed. About a dozen more were allowed to enter later as the same number exited early. About 65 people spoke, almost all from Stephentown, and all in opposition to the proposed pipeline. Applause broke out from the audience after each person had spoken their piece.
[private]It was a varied group. Many had been born and raised in Stephentown. Many have lived here only a few years.
Several people said that they had earlier been neutral regarding the pipeline, or just mildly opposed. They had changed their minds after researching the issue more thoroughly.
One who said he changed his mind was not a Stephentown resident but was “fighting for my people.” State Assemblyman Steve McLaughlin said he had initially thought in terms of balancing risks and benefits, but as he delved into the matter he determined there was “zero benefit for my people.” With none of the gas going to New York, it was like “building a highway through my district without an exit ramp.” He discounted the idea of the project creating jobs and concluded the risk was not worth it. “So I will stand against this pipeline,” he said. Having tried to negotiate with Kinder Morgan, he also concluded that the company “is the most corporately arrogant group of individuals I have come across.”
Rensselaer County Legislator Stan Brownell was another of the few non-Stephentown residents who spoke. Brownell had concluded too that the pipeline is not a good deal for Rensselaer County and he pledged to sponsor a County resolution opposing it.
The comments in general reiterated concerns that have been expressed before in the past few months in Stephentown, Nassau and Schodack. Fear of leaks, fire, air and water pollution, ecological damage, danger to wells from blasting, loss of property value, lack of oversight and inspections, Kinder Morgan’s poor safety record, lower safety standards in rural areas and the oil and gas companies getting to write the rules of the game.
Bill Jackson said that realtors he has spoken with suggest that there would be a 10 to 30% drop in home value associated with any pipeline presence even if it is not visible from the property. Compressor stations nearby would add another whole dimension. If a homeowner is so affected it would seem fair that that property get a reduction in tax assessment, which of course would mean that other taxpayers in Stephentown would have to pick up the slack. The gas people make out, Jackson concluded, “and we are left holding the bag.”
Assistant Fire Chief Rik McClave, who had appeared earlier to be somewhat ambivalent, now came out definitely in opposition. He said he was not speaking officially for the Fire Department but on a personal basis and as one who has had many years of experience in the insurance industry on fire prevention and fire protection. McClave said the proposed project will use the lowest grade pipe available and every weld will be only visually inspected. He believed that no fire department on a Kinder Morgan pipeline has ever been contacted by the company. There are not set safety rules or plans, no evacuation plans, no help whatsoever. He acknowledged that there are many hundreds of thousands of miles of gas pipelines in the country, but it’s also true we hear every day about leaks, explosions and fires, and none of those pipelines are running under the 1,460 psi of pressure that is proposed here. “The devastation, if it happens, would be catastrophic,” he concluded.
Having heard two hours of fears and concerns and urgings that the Board immediately pass a strong resolution opposing the pipeline, Town Supervisor Larry Eckhardt said he was thankful for their input and “extremely impressed” with the comments. The Board would take no action that evening but that, knowing how the rest of the Board has been talking, “We will have a resolution from our Town in opposition, and we will partner that with our neighboring communities.” This was greeted with a standing ovation. [/private]