Call on Governor Cuomo and DEC to stop Williams pipeline project
Downloadable Video: Chants of “Stop the Williams Pipeline, Cuomo” erupt at public hearing
Bay Ridge, New York – At packed public hearings held by the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) on the Williams Northeast Supply Enhancement (NESE) Project, New Yorkers spoke out vehemently against the proposed fracked gas pipeline, citing threats to local communities, marine life and the climate.
“We oppose this pipeline because it would mean an enormous step backwards in terms of the health of our recovering harbor and what is needed to address our climate emergency—and all for gas that we don’t even need,” said Sara Gronim of 350Brooklyn at a press conference held before the hearing by the Stop the Williams Pipeline Coalition.
The Williams NESE would bring fracked gas from Pennsylvania into New York. It would include a 23-mile-long pipeline that would run from New Jersey out into New York Harbor, passing a mile and a half from Staten Island and connecting to an existing pipeline less than four miles off of Rockaway Beach.
“This is Governor Cuomo’s most important test as a climate leader,” Laura Shindell, an organizer with Food and Water Watch. “He must take action that matches his Green New Deal rhetoric by blocking this dangerous pipeline.”
A growing number of elected officials have come out against the pipeline, joining over 200 New York-based groups and more than 14,400 individuals who are calling on Governor Cuomo to stop the pipeline.
“New York banned fracking for a reason: it is a pollution-causing activity that has no place here,” State Senator Diane Savino, who represents Bay Ridge as well as parts of Staten Island, said in a statement on the Williams pipeline. “To allow a pipeline that moves the byproducts of this activity goes against the reasoning for that ban and the proposed placement puts the well-being of New York Harbor at risk. We should be looking towards other renewable energy sources rather than allowing ourselves to continue to rely on fossil fuels.”
“Fracked gas shouldn’t be treated like a bridge when we have a clear path to renewable energy now,” said Council Member Costa Constantinides, Chair of the New York City Council on Environmental Protection. “The Williams Pipeline will only disrupt the strides we’ve made to restore our once-amazing harbor after it was decimated by [Hurricane] Sandy. Do we really want to drive away the marine life we’ve seen return to places like Jamaica Bay or the Hudson River? We should focus on promoting renewable energy instead of ripping up our seabed or endangering our coastal communities.”
One more hearing will be held on the pipeline in Rockaway on March 6 and New Yorkers can submit written public comments to the DEC until March 15. New York State must make a decision by May 16th to allow, deny, or delay the construction of the pipeline.
Additional statements from elected officials:
“I stand with my fellow New Yorkers in opposing the Williams Pipeline, because adding this 23-mile fracked gas pipeline is an unacceptable risk that could contaminate our communities and marine life with toxic chemicals like arsenic, dioxin, and PCB’s,” said Assemblymember Ron Kim. “We have reached a critical moment in our country, and New York should be taking the lead in fighting climate change and greatly expanding our renewable energy usage. This project is a step backwards in the wrong direction, and will greatly harm the health and wellbeing of countless neighborhoods in our community.”
“The proposed Williams pipeline is unacceptable as we move away from fossils fuels and towards renewable energy,” said Assemblymember Walter Mosley. “Instead of building pipelines that will force us to rely on fossil fuels, we should be focusing on infrastructure that will help decrease the effects of climate change. I am proud to speak out against this proposal and I will continue to do so until it is put to a stop.”
“Before any final decision is made on the Williams Pipeline, it is vital for us to be well-informed about the potential risks to our environment and coastline,” said Assemblymember Judy Griffin. ”I am grateful that the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is holding public hearings on the pipeline in Brooklyn and Rockaway.”
“The Williams Pipeline works against the need to convert to renewable energy sources,” said Assemblymember Felix Ortiz. “We have seen the destruction caused by changing weather patterns. There are already enough health problems and a weakened environment caused by our reliance on fossil fuel byproducts.”
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Stop the Williams Pipeline Coalition organized by New York Communities for Change, Sustainable Staten Island, Rockaway Beach Civic Association, Sane Energy Project, 350BK, 350.org, Food & Water Watch, United for Action, NY/NJ Baykeeper, Surfrider NYC Chapter, Ocean Action Research Rockaway and more.
More information: www.StopTheWilliamsPipeline.org