Pipeline Project Hits Resistance

corrected 10/31/11
People whose land the Empire Pipeline is crossing aren’t happy with the way the project is going. Residents in the towns of Corning and Caton, NY and Canton, PA* have told the press that construction of the gas pipeline has created flooding, washed out their driveways, and left huge holes that – they say – are dangerous.

Back in 2010, when the company presented the project to residents, they promised landowners to “minimize impact”. They would accomplish that by using existing right-of-ways (ROW). They also promised to keep the ROW to 50 feet wide, compensate landowners for economic loss, and to restore the land to original or better condition.

But, say landowners, they took a 75-foot ROW, threatening eminent domain against those reluctant to sign a contract. Given recent problems, some homeowners are planning to sue the pipeline.

Empire Pipeline’s project, the “Tioga County Extension” was approved by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) in May, with an original completion target of this fall. However, according to the Natural Gas Intelligence “Shale Daily” (Oct. 28, 2011) the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has asked FERC to hold off on the extension until it has complied with state soil disturbance and stabilization requirements.

*though I've been assured that many folks in Canton (south of the NY border) feel the same way...