TALLYING TROUBLING TACTICS
I read an interesting article in the Albany Times Union
entitled “National Grid Tactics Rankle”, November 14, 2019, regarding the
proposed E37/Albany Loop fracked gas pipeline. Not surprisingly, there is more to add
about this little-publicized pipeline proposal.
I am the co-founder of Stop NY Fracked Gas Pipeline which is
a local grass group formed in 2014 to oppose the “Northeast Energy Direct” fracked
gas pipeline proposal. This project was a glaring case of private gain at
public expense and, fortunately, the developer withdrew its application once the public became educated
about it.
Now in the Capital District, National Grid has exhibited a familiar
pattern of “detail stinginess” and “gloss-over simplification” beginning with
its not revealing its pipeline proposal to the public until “the last minute.”
Only days before the E37/Albany Loop public hearing did it place a public
announcement of its plans in a small community newspaper (proper notice is
required by law.)
At this hearing, a National Grid spokesperson reluctantly revealed,
after several probing questions, that some of this pipeline gas “might” be
fracked. However, we know that most, if not all, of this gas comes from the
fracking fields of Pennsylvania.
In a further troublesome tactic, National Grid formally appealed
to the NYS Public Service Commission (lead-decision agency) to
not allow our group, Stop NY Fracked Gas Pipeline, to have a “seat at the
table“ known as having “party status”.
National Grid did the same with the Aztech Geothermal
company and with the Sane Energy organization. I think that the Public
Service Commission values public input, but apparently National Grid doesn’t. What
is National Grid afraid of I ask?
Our groups’ years of knowledge translates to knowing what works well
regarding the use of solar, wind and geothermal energy along with related
conservation and efficiencies. We wish to supply the Public Service Commission
with this information empowering it to make an informed and balanced decision
about this E37/Albany Loop proposal. (Fortunately, the Public Service
Commission has not blocked the aforementioned groups from having party
status.)
In its documentation for this pipeline, National Grid never even documented
to the Public Service Commission sufficient facts justifying the need for this
fracked gas pipeline and what’s worse, never seriously considered the use of
readily available alternative renewable energies. There are more examples of
National Grid’s non-transparent practices, such that it’s appropriate for me to
say that “the emperor really has no clothes”.
The E37/Albany Loop fracked gas pipeline proposal is
another greedy, and indeed outmoded, attempt by National Grid to profit its
stockholders while leaving the public with environmentally damaging emissions
and potentially stranded assets.
Please consider expressing your opinion to the Public Service
Commission about this E37/Albany Loop proposal, which has the case
number: 19-T-0069, by contacting:
Robert Connors
1409 County Rte 5
Canaan, NY 12029
