Jimino Submits Pipeline Scoping Comments

Rensselaer County Executive Kathleen M. Jimino has submitted her scoping comments to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) regarding the Northeast Energy Direct Pipeline proposed by Kinder Morgan.[private]“While the authorization of the proposed pipeline lies solely with FERC my administration has partnered with the Berkshire Regional Planning Commission and local leaders in Rensselaer County to prevent the pipeline from being sited here in the first instance. If however, it is approved by Federal Government, we want to be certain that any potential health, safety, or environmental concerns are mitigated to the greatest degree possible,” stated Jimino.
Through a partnership between Rensselaer County and the Berkshire Regional Planning Commission the County and the towns of Schodack, Nassau, and Stephentown were able to access legal and engineering resources specializing in pipelines and the FERC processes.
Jimino’s scoping comments to FERC reflect the concerns of upmost importance to the communities that would be along the proposed route of the pipeline and include the issue areas of:
• Drinking Water (public and private)
• Compressor Station Impact (noise lighting, traffic, gas and chemical release)
• Facility operations
• Construction
• Noise
• Public Safety (emergency response)
• Water Resources (wetlands, water crossings) and Erosion Control
• Transportation/Traffic
• Quality of Life
• Rensselaer Plateau
“Rensselaer County is a truly wonderful place to live and we work hard to ensure that our high quality of life is maintained and improved. If the Federal Government decides that this project is in the best interest of our nation then they must also accommodate our demands that this project not harm or negatively impact the residents and environment along the route,” stated Jimino.
A copy of County Executive Jimino’s,and Berkshire Planning’s scoping comments to FERC are available at www.rensco.com.[/private]