MINUTES
COMMITTEE ON THE ENVIRONMENT
Joint w/COMMITTEES ON COMMUNITY AFFAIRS & HEALTH
Tuesday, January 11, 2001
3:00 P.M.
PRESENT: ENV: M. Kaplowitz, Chair; V. Pinto; U. LaMotte.
CA: K. Carsky, Chair; L. Bronz.
HLT: T. Abinanti, Chair; A. Stewart-Cousins; S. Swanson.
STAFF: S. Bass; S. Schecter; B. Dodds; T. Bernard; C. Ryer, Sec’y.
ALSO PRESENT: Legislator R. Wishnie. *See attached visitor’s list.
DISCUSSION:
The joint meeting of the Committees on Environment, Health, and Community Affairs were called to order at 3:12 p.m., by Chair Kaplowitz Chair Abinanti, and Chair Carsky, respectively (CA Committee with a quorum.)
Chair Kaplowitz recognized and announced some of the various visitors in attendance, also noting that the three committees present have, on a continuing basis, met numerous times to discuss the project of the proposed millennium pipeline.
Brent Archer of Columbia Gas (Millennium Pipeline) was asked to give an update on the proposed millennium project and plans for the next few months. Mr. Archer explained that the project’s federal lead agency is the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), who makes the broad determinations regarding the project. The project also includes the input of several State agencies, and the counties and municipalities involved. The last event occurred last Fall, when the FERC staff held a public hearing in the Village of Croton-on-Hudson to discuss a proposal to consider using the Route 9 corridor. The filing submitted the past October, is currently being researched for a supplemental draft statement. FERC is planning to conduct a second hearing before a final draft of the EIS is submitted, sometime in the mid-year.
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WEDNESDAY, January 11, 2001
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Legislator Wishnie asked if Columbia Gas/Millennium has discussed with Con Edison, the possibility of working out an arrangement to use the existing right-of-way corridor. Jim O’Toole, a consultant for Con Edison, noted that Con Ed has objected the use of both routes (original and secondary 9/9-A) as a transmission service line on the right-of-way. He added that the second route crosses the transmission lines in 6-8 places, which has cause for concern of the consequences in the case of a major disruption, and assured that Con Ed has not yet reached a point of being able to say yes.
A question was raised regarding the Iroquois (Pipeline) Company application and if any discussion of their plans has been considered. Mr. O’Toole replied, that the Millennium project is further along in the review process than the Iroquois project, which can be further explained by Peter Carnavos. Mr. Carnavos, Manager of Gas Planning/Business Developer (pipeline projects) for Con Ed, explained that the Iroquois route would impact the infrastructure through Pelham. A preferred route was discussed and identified with Con Ed, various participants and the communities, to avoid the impacts in the Bronx and Westchester County. It was suggested that the FERC strongly consider having the Millennium pipeline end in Rockland County (west border) to distribute natural gas, and use the existing pipeline corridor to deliver and distribute the gas to Westchester and New York City customers. A brief discussion continued with talks of considering a third possible alternative. Mr. Carnavos added that the county is in need of additional power plants. NYS Senator Vincent Leibell expressed that one of his main concerns is the safety issues of the proposed project and the overall impact if a pipeline is constructed. He added that he would hope all possible options and alternatives would be explored to the fullest, including any existing facilities.
Legislator
Carsky asked what actions can the county take, in addition to those already applied,
to assist with the best possible solution.
Mr. Archer and Mr. O’Toole replied that the county could continue
showing
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WEDNESDAY, January 11, 2001
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their support and interest by remaining actively involved during the remaining stages of the process. Legislator LaMotte suggested that the long-term needs of Westchester should be considered in the planning stages for efficient results. Mr. Archer agreed that long-term plans are being reviewed during the planning phase for the natural gas/energy use and fee regulations. The discussion continued briefly, with emphasis on alternative routes, capacity of pipeline repair, and emergency evacuation – if needed. Chair Abinanti expressed that he would like to work out alternative routes, his overall view is that the proposed pipeline route is bad for Mt. Vernon.
With no further business to discuss, the meeting adjourned at 4:53 p.m., on the motion of Chair Kaplowitz, seconded by Legislator Pinto, for the Environment Committee; Chair Carsky, seconded by Legislator Bronz, for the Committee on Community Affairs; and Chair Abinanti, for the Committee on Health, with all in favor.
See attached visitor’s list – next page.
MINUTES
WEDNESDAY, January 11, 2001
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*ATTACHED VISITOR’S LIST
Name Affiliation
Ellen R. Kolber Briarcliff Resident
Rosemary & Richard Jordan Briarcliff Residents
Rhoda Silverman Naomi Matusow’s Ofc.
John Chervokas, Supervisor Town of Ossining
Joyce Lannert, Commissioner WC/Planning Dept.
Ed Hofmeister WC/Planning Dept.
Hope Corbin Intern (MBK’s)
James O’Toole Con Edison
Sandy Miller Con Edison
Peter Carnavos Con Edison
Joel Klein Village of Croton-on-Hudson
Marian Klein LWV/W
James Rice Intervenor (Ossining)
Keith Austin, Mayor Briarcliff Manor
Charley Wood Senator N. Spano’s Ofc.
Brent Archer Millennium Pipeline
Vincent Leibell, Senator NYS Senate
Ray Maguire Senator Leibell’s Ofc.
Susan Gabrile Public Access Media
Dee Barbato Yonkers City Council & Rep for
Assemblyman M. Spano’s Ofc.
Rich Herbek, Mayor Village of Croton-on-Hudson
Sandy Galef, Senator NYS Senate
Michele Herbst Route 9-9A Coalition
William Fienemann Route 9-9A Coalition
David Taft Congresswoman S. Kelly’s Ofc.
Salvatore Didato Route 9-9A Coalition
Katherine McLoughlin NY/LCV
Michael Dandry Assemblyman R. Tocci’s Ofc.
Lee J. Ellman Yonkers Planning Bureau
Bill Randolph CE’s Office