Public Meetings to be held Jan. 21 and 22

The State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) announced it is accepting public comments on the applications and draft permits to reconstruct portions of the federally regulated Algonquin Pipeline that traverse through Rockland, Westchester and Putnam counties.

The proposed Algonquin Incremental Market (AIM) Project includes the expansion of existing pipeline systems in New York and three other states, including replacement of approximately 15.7 miles of pipeline in Rockland, Westchester and Putnam counties, and installation of two new compressor units at the Algonquin’s existing Stony Point Compression station in Rockland County and another at the Southeast Compressor Station in Putnam County.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has primary jurisdiction for the environmental review of interstate pipelines. FERC released a draft Environmental Impact Statement on Aug. 6, 2014, which can be viewed at: http://www.spectraenergy.com/content/documents/Projects/FERC-DEIS-for-AIM-Project.pdf.

DEC maintains the authority to review applications for specific permits and approvals. These include Air Title V permits for the proposed compressor station upgrades, as well as a Water Quality Certification, Stream Disturbance and Freshwater Wetlands permits for portions of the pipeline upgrades.

DEC has extended the public comment period on these applications and draft permits. Comments will be accepted through Feb. 27^th.  Comments can be submitted to:

Michael Higgins, Project Manager

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation

Division of Environmental Permits

625 Broadway, 4^th Floor

Albany, NY  12233-1750

AIMProject@dec.ny.gov

DEC will hold public hearings at the following locations to allow people to provide verbal or written comments:

•             Brewster -- Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2015, 6 p.m.
        Henry H. Wells Middle School, Auditorium, 570 Route 312, Brewster

•       Stony Point Community Center, 5 Clubhouse Lane, Stony Point

Copies of the application documents and draft permits can be viewed online at: http://www.spectraenergy.com/operations/new-projects-and-our-process/new-projects-in-us/algonquin-incremental-market-aim-project/

Printed copies are available at:

The Brewster Public Library, 70 Main Street, Brewster

Field Library, 4 Nelson Avenue, Peekskill

John C. Hart Memorial Library, 1130 Main Street, Shrub Oak

Haverstraw Kings Daughters Public Library, Main Branch, 10 West Ramapo Road, Garnerville

Haverstraw Kings Daughters Public Library, Village Branch, 85 Main Street, Haverstraw

Hendrick Hudson Free Library, 185 Kings Ferry Road, Montrose

Rose Memorial Library, 79 East Main Street, Stony Point

Tomkins Cove Public Library, 419 North Liberty Drive, Tomkins Cove