Riverkeeper statement about the Cuomo Administration’s Denying the Constitution Pipeline
For Immediate Release
April 22, 2016
Contact: Cliff Weathers, Communications Director
(845) 445-8257; [email protected]
Ossining, NY — Riverkeeper’s Chief Prosecuting Attorney Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. and President Paul Gallay issued statements today regarding the DEC’s denial of the controversial Constitution Pipeline, which would have carried fracked natural gas through the Hudson River estuary.
Earlier today, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation announced the denial of the Clean Water Act Section 401 Water Quality Certification for the proposed Constitution Pipeline. In a statement, the DEC said that the application by Constitution failed to meet New York State’s water quality standards. The Constitution pipeline involved construction of approximately 124 miles of natural gas piping in northeastern Pennsylvania, proceeding into New York State through Broome, Chenango, Delaware and Schoharie Counties.
Riverkeeper’s Chief Prosecuting Attorney Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. released a statement regarding the DEC announcement: “I commend Governor Cuomo and the DEC for taking decisive action against the onslaught of destructive pipeline projects facing New York State. The Constitution Pipeline has always been bad news for New York waters and communities, and today the state did its job to protect them.”
Riverkeeper President Paul Gallay contributed this statement: “This is the right move by Governor Cuomo and it comes at a crucial time. It will protect the Hudson River and ?Schoharie Creek and ?help us ramp down on fossil fuel infrastructure, not build more of it. It’s a huge step towards achieving our environmental and climate goals.”
The construction of the Constitution Pipeline would have impacted approximately 250 streams across New York State. Many of those streams are unique and sensitive ecological areas, including trout spawning streams, old-growth forest, and undisturbed springs, which provide vital habitat and are key to the local ecosystems.
On Wednesday, Kinder Morgan announced that it was pulling the plug on the Northeast Energy Direct-Tennessee pipeline. The Texas-based company cited inadequate capacity commitments from prospective customers.
