A federal agency has given the green light for a Northeast pipeline expansion project that includes portions of the Hudson Valley.
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, or FERC, has authorized the construction and operation of the Algonquin Incremental Market, or AIM, Project, which seeks to replace 26-inch diameter pipeline with 42-inch diameter pipeline. The project would begin in Rockland County, and move through Westchester and Putnam Counties before heading into Connecticut, Rhode Island and Massachusetts. It’s up to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation to issue permits for the expansion of two compressor stations – one in Southeast, in Putnam County; the other in Stony Point, in Rockland County. Democratic Congresswoman Nita Lowey is one voicing disappointment with the decision, saying more environmental review is needed. A spokeswoman for the pipeline’s operator has said the project is environmentally sound.
