© 2024
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
An update has been released for the Android version of the WAMC App that addresses performance issues. Please check the Google Play Store to download and update to the latest version.

"Constitution Pipeline" Debate Continues

The propsed 120-mile long "Constitution Pipeline" would transport natural gas produced by hydrofracking in Northern Pennsylvania to a terminal in the town of Wright, Schoharie County, where it would then be sent on to existing lines in the area.  Hudson Valley Bureau Chief Dave Lucas has an update on the project.

During a press conference earlier this week, Senator James Seward and Assemblyman Pete Lopez expressed support for an alternate route for the pipeline which would follow the I-88 corridor.

Schoharie Town Supervisor Gene Milone has been an outspoken opponent of the pipeline project, which he believes will act as a "magnet for hydrofracking"

Constitution Pipeline declares on its website "The proposed pipeline is being designed to transport natural gas that has already been produced in Pennsylvania, not New York."

Jim Barber operates a farm in Middleburgh that's been in his family since the 1850s. The 2011 flood damaged his house and devastated what would have been the fall harvest. Barber is concerned the pipeline will result in permanent damage to farmland throughout the Schoharie Valley.

Officials estimate the pipeline could be operational by 2015: Constitution spokesman Chris Stockton says for the time being there is no "set in stone" pipeline plan.  Stockton says there are a lot of different ways gas can be transported from Pennsylvania up to Albany and the company is trying to balance the environmental, landowner and safety concerns ...

Ann Marie Garti is a homeowner in Delaware County - she argues the pipeline is simply not needed. Garti points out that the gas would be sent to foreign markets.

Constitution's Chris Stockton says the public is welcome to come and discuss pipeline plans with company officials -• July 25, 6:30-8:30 p.m. in Delaware County at Franklin Central School, 26 Institute Street, Franklin.
• July 26, 6:30-8:30 p.m. in Schoharie County at Best Western Cobleskill, 121 Burgin Drive, Cobleskill.

 

Dave Lucas is WAMC’s Capital Region Bureau Chief. Born and raised in Albany, he’s been involved in nearly every aspect of local radio since 1981. Before joining WAMC, Dave was a reporter and anchor at WGY in Schenectady. Prior to that he hosted talk shows on WYJB and WROW, including the 1999 series of overnight radio broadcasts tracking the JonBenet Ramsey murder case with a cast of callers and characters from all over the world via the internet. In 2012, Dave received a Communicator Award of Distinction for his WAMC news story "Fail: The NYS Flood Panel," which explores whether the damage from Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee could have been prevented or at least curbed. Dave began his radio career as a “morning personality” at WABY in Albany.