Above photo: From StopthePipeline.org
Update: Politico reported on January 15, 2016:
Attorney General Eric Schneiderman’s office asked federal regulators on Thursday to deny a request by developers of the Constitution natural gas pipeline to begin clearing trees along its proposed 124-mile path through the Southern Tier and Schoharie Valley. Last week, the Williams Companies and other developers of the pipeline asked the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission for permission to begin clearing trees in Broome, Chenango, Delaware and Schoharie counties, even though the state has not given final approval for the pipeline. Developers maintain the tree clearing does not mean it is beginning construction. Schneiderman’s office rejects that argument, claiming the tree clearing would essentially begin construction before the final permits from the state Department of Environmental Conservation and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers have been issued.
Campaign To Stop Constitution Pipeline Focuses On Stopping Tree Cutting
New York – The Constitution Pipeline Company has asked permission from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to START CUTTING TREES for its proposed fracked-gas pipeline, which would rip through the heart of New York State. If allowed, the pipeline company will soon cut more than half a million trees in flood-prone central NY.
Take action and call Governor Cuomo today. 877-235-6537 or 518-474-8390 TELL HIM TO…
- STOP CONSTITUTION PIPELINE FROM CUTTING TREES!
- DON’T let FERC override his authority by pushing through a pipeline OUR STATE HAS NOT GIVEN PERMISSION TO BUILD!
- STOP this proposed FRACKED-GAS PIPELINE once and for all by DENYING THE 401 WATER QUALITY CERTIFICATE!
Here is a letter that many people sent to Attorney General Eric Schneiderman at eric.schneiderman@ag.ny.gov:
Dear Attorney General Schneiderman,
On January 8th, the Constitution Pipeline company requested permission from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to cut down trees, the first step in pipeline construction. This is prior to the NYS-DEC deciding whether or not to issue a 401 Water Quality Certificate for the project.
Constitution Pipeline’s request stands in violation of the federal Clean Water Act and FERC’s order dated December 2, 2014, both of which establish that such action is premature unless New York first issues a 401 Water Quality Certificate.
Information can be found at the following link: http://elibrary.FERC.gov/idmws/file_list.asp?accession_num=20160108-5125
As seen on page 5 of Appendix F in the aforementioned material, Constitution Pipeline improperly justifies its request based on dubious unconfirmed telephone conversations that the company claims to have had with federal and state agencies, including the NYS-DEC. No documented evidence of consent by DEC has been provided.
Unless the State of New York intervenes immediately in this matter, in just two weeks over half a million trees could be felled along a 124 mile corridor, doing irreparable harm to the ecological value of upstate New York, including a major swath of the northern Catskills.
I urge you to prevent this illegal action by immediately filing a motion objecting to Constitution Pipeline’s request for a partial notice to proceed.
As a result, on Wednesday morning, after days of receiving letters, calls and emails from all over the State, Attorney General Eric Schneiderman’s office notified FERC that “The Office of the New York State Attorney General plans to electronically file an answer in opposition to Constitution [Pipeline]’s request [for Partial Notice to Proceed].This is encouraging news, because it suggests we’re being heard.
Please call or email Governor Cuomo to save the trees and stop the pipeline. Let’s end the fossil fuel era!
Call: 877-235-6537 or 518-474-8390
Email: gov.cuomo@chamber.state.ny.us and cc basil.seggos@dec.ny.gov using the letter below:
Dear Governor Cuomo,
Constitution Pipeline’s request of January 8th to begin cutting trees stands in clear violation of the federal Clean Water Act and FERC’s order dated December 2, 2014, both of which establish that such action is premature unless New York first issues a 401 Water Quality Certificate.
I urge you to be a climate leader and stop this buildout of dirty fracked gas infrastructure once and for all by denying Constitution Pipeline a 401 Water Quality Certificate.
Sincerely,
Name:
Address:
For more info, visit facebook.com/PeopleNotPipelines and StopthePipeline.org