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MINUTES COMMITTEE ON THE ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE ON HEALTH FEBRUARY 10, 1998 PRESENT: Env: Chair Kaplowitz, Leg. LaMotte, Maisano, Pinto, Latimer Health: Chair Abinanti, Leg. LaMotte Stewart-Cousins, Latimer ALSO PRESENT : See Attached List ITEMS DISCUSSED: Chair Kaplowitz called the Environment meeting to order and stated that they were meeting jointly with the Health Committee on Columbia Gas. Chair Abinanti called the Health Committee to order. Both Committees suspended their rules for the purpose of conducting this meeting. Chair Kaplowitz stated that the Environment Committee will take up the Lasdon Property next week. The Legislators introduced themselves and thanked everyone for coming today. Chair Kaplowitz stated that today’s meeting was just a fact finding mission. Mr. Brent Archer from Columbia Gas thanked the Legislators for allowing them to attend today. Columbia is the impetus for the proposed Gas pipeline for the millennium. Mr. Archer gave a quick overview of the Company and the project. Columbia Gas is an interstate natural gas pipeline. They are not involved in the retail business. They only transport the gas, they do not own it. They have been active in New York State for over 50 years, but not in Westchester County. Their main headquarters is in Page 2 2/10 Health/Environment Binghamton, New York. They operate 13,000 miles of pipeline in 13 states. They deliver gas all across the northeast corridor. Their markets have been growing. There are plentiful supplies of natural gas but the problem is to get the supply to where it is needed. Columbia saw an opportunity to upgrade the system and access the market area. Columbia Gas began investigating this area last year and surveyed the market. Over the course of the summer they were pleased to see that people were willing to sign up and that moved them to go forward with the proposal. All of that culminated with a filing with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission in December. The millennium project would be 422 miles of pipeline from the Canadian Border into the Hudson Valley terminating in Mount Vernon. They would have a start-up phase. 86% is on easements that they currently operate or are on other utility easements. In Westchester County most of it is on an easement operated by Con Ed. They do deliver to Orange/Rockland and they will deliver into the Con Ed Natural Gas line in Mount Vernon if completed. They have met with most of the municipalities here in Westchester that would be affected. The timetable for the project - the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission would review their proposal through the end of this year and decide by sometime in early 1999. Construction will begin in the Spring, Summer and Fall and be completed by the end of 1999. There would be 5 - 6 different contractors and many new jobs across the state. The line would be in service by the end of 1999. They are meeting with the local municipalities, listening to their concerns and answering any questions. Chair Abinanti asked about the Federal Energy Comm. rules and regulations and Mr. Hall stated that they are subject to NEPA. Chair Abinanti asked if Columbia needed any approvals from the State? Mr. Hall stated it is not subject to SEQRA, but they will, Page 3 Health/Environment 2/10 however, apply for all needed permits. Permits may be required from all the localities affected. There is a debate as to whether a Federal project needs to have these permits. However, Columbia will still apply to the local municipalities. Mr. Archer stated that the pipeline will come into Westchester through the FDR Veterans Hospital Property. There is a 1 1/2 mile of new easements that they will need. They need to go underneath Route 9 and hook up with the Con Ed power line until they get into the Yonkers area and then leave the Con Ed easement and go into the Con Ed easement. They must have contracts from the municipalities in place before they begin and apply. The environmental aspects of the project are also looked at by the Commission. Columbia will not be involved in any construction until a certificate is issued to them. Leg. Latimer asked about the terminus for Mount Vernon and how dense the area is. Mr. Hall stated that the measuring facility itself will use the site of an abandoned business to house the measurement equipment. There willbe valves that will hoop up to the Con Ed facility. Leg. Latimer asked if they were going to be any payment in lieu of taxes to Mt. Vernon. Mr. Archer stated that they pay property tax on the pipe in the ground which is collected by the state and redistributed to the locality. Leg. Latimer asked if there were any plans for the gas to be used locally. Mr. Archer stated it would be made available through Con Ed and Brooklyn Union. Mr. Archer stated that this project is looked on as an Infrastructure issue. Mr. Archer stated that the big advantage is that the utility corridor is already there. Most of the problems with projects in the 1990’s are
Page 4 Health/Environment 2/10 due to people not following state regulations . People who dig into pipelines are those who cause the most problems. Leg. Abinanti asked how in-depth along the easement their study has you gotten. Mr. Hall stated that they do on-ground field studies and have done it to all that they were granted permission. 88% of the alignment has been done. No in-depth field studies have been done on the Con Ed right-of-way in Westchester as they have not yet been given Con Edison permission to enter the property.
Chair Abinanti questioned their going under and over 287 and homes in the area Mr. Hall stated that their is a very detailed study that will be done. Once determined, they are only allowed to use that corridor. Those drawings will be put in prior to the Environmental. Chair Kaplowitz wants to see it prior to the filings. Leg. LaMotte asked if any other route was looked at and possibly come in any other way further south? Mr. Hall stated that this is just a proposal and follows an existing pipeline. They had to consider the best places to cross the river. They have not done a survey because they have not been granted permission to walk on the property They chose this route because they have to keep their customers in service. They needed a large staging area in order to weld the pipe together and this seemed to be the best area. Leg. Wishnie asked about "intervenor status". How do we meet that? Mr. Hall stated that to be an intervenor - The general public can submit documentation to the FERC staff to be considered during the process. Intervenor status is higher up on the plane and requires any comments must be in writing and must be filed and given a docket number and copies must be provided to all the other parties that are intervenors as well. Page 5 Health/Environment 2/10 FERC will be holding scoping sessions throughout the County. Leg. Wishnie asked if we proceed and everyone gets what they want, are your required to pay prevailing rate to workers in the County. Mr. Archer stated that union Labor will be used - hired out of the local halls. They are willing to work with a Committee and there may be some information that the County can help them with. Chair Kaplowitz asked for the Company to give us a timeline and to come back periodically to update the committee. Leg. LaMotte was still unclear on the SEQR process. Mr. Hall stated that they are not subject to SEQR by statute but they intend to do the kinds of things are required by SEQR and once decisions are made on the routing and the kinds of mitigation that is involved. Leg. LaMotte asked if they know about the fault line and they stated that they are aware of it. Acting Comm. Lannert explained the intervenor status and the Planning Dept. will certainly act on behalf of the County. Another issue is alot of property is County Parkland and those areas the County would have some control over - private property there seems to be some loose issues regarding easements. Leg. Stewart-Cousins asked about the question of heath and what the implementations are of health. They have never had a fatality along their pipelines. The two main problems are corrosion or third party digging. Their pipelines are constructed to withstand trucks, trains, earthquakes, etc. Columbia Gas representatives stated there have been only 9 injuries over the last 9 years and they were involved with construction workers being hurt on the job - not due to the pipeline.
Page 6 Health/Environment 2/10 Leg. Wishnie asked that during the course of construction it will supervised, testing, etc.? Can Westchester County have our own inspection done and will you pay for it? Mr. Archer could not answer it right now but would bring it up to his people. Chair Abinanti asked what experience they have in metropolitan areas? Morris County, New Jersey - has are many similarities. Just outside of Pittsburgh, there is another facility. Supv. Smith asked if there was a docket number and Mr. Hall stated it was CP98-150-98-000. David Woods - MT. Vernon asked if this was a federal project? Mr. Archer stated No, it is privately funded by Columbia and three other supporters. George Lee - Public Works - Mt. Vernon. There are questions that involve an inner city and municipality and the city fathers should be able to see how this effects Mount Vernon. The City fathers should be given a presentation. Mr. Archer stated no question - They have already been in touch with the City and have had meetings there. They develop a route and go on the best route they found. They are certainly open to suggestions. Marion Rose asked about the economics of the project and what happens if you start and cannot continue? That would not happen. Chair Abinanti requested that a copy of the application be delivered to the Planning Dept. and a second copy to the Board with aerials and maps. for the Board to distribute. There is concern that the County and municipalities are given all the information as soon as possible. Both Chair Abinanti and Chair Kaplowitz thanked everyone for coming and stated that this is just the beginning of the conversation. It Page 7 Health/Environment 2/10 was suggested that Columbia Gas bring more technical experts next time they come to answer those types of questions. . Both Committees agreed to contact the County Planning Dept. and the County Attorney to intervene on behalf of the County. Both Committee adjourned at 4:30 P.M Joint Committee Meeting Guest List RICH HALL COLUMBIA GAS BILL LENT CON EDISON JOHN YOEGEL ENVIRONMENTAL FAC CLINTON SMITH TOWN/NEW CASTLE ED HOFFMEISTER PLANNING NANCY GOLD MARION ROSE SIERRA CLUB KARL BRACH COLUMBIA GAS PATTY MALONE YORKTOWN JOYCE LANNERT ACTING PLANNING COMMR. BRENT ARCHER COLUMBIA GAS FEDORA DELUCIA SOMERS RESIDENT AND FORMER MEMBER OF THE SOMERS PLANNING BD. JAN BLAIRE GEORGE LEE MT. VERNON PUBLIC WORKS DAVID WOODS MT. VERNON CAROLYN CUNNINGHAM TOM ANDERSON GANNETT ELSA BRENNER NEW YORK TIMES AL REGULA TOWN/GREENBURGH TONY SERVELLO TOWN/GREENBURGH BOB ELLIOT VILLAGE/CROTON
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