We have been contacted by many of you with concerns about the natural gas pipeline project that has been proposed by Kinder Morgan/Tennessee Gas Pipeline, LLC in Connecticut, particularly as it relates to its route through Class I and Class II protected watershed lands owned by the Metropolitan District Commission (MDC) in the Greater Hartford Region.
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has extended its deadline to accept pre-application comments until October 16. CLCC intends to submit comments and we urge you to take this opportunity to learn more about the project and voice any concerns regarding the same.
If you have any questions, please contact me anytime. And, as always, thank you for all you do to ensure that conserved lands stay protected.
With best regards, Amy
From CFPA Executive Director Eric Hammerling:
You may have heard about the Northeast Energy Direct natural gas pipeline that has been proposed by Kinder Morgan/Tennessee Gas Pipeline, LLC in several communities around the State.
One of the areas of concern is the land owned by the Metropolitan District Commission (MDC), the municipal water and sewer provider for the Greater Hartford region. The new 24" pipeline which would be added to an existing 16" pipeline that has been there since 1952 will directly impact the MDC's Class I and Class II watershed lands, the New England Trail National Scenic Trail, and sensitive habitats for the blue-winged warbler and other species. The new pipeline would cross 5.7 miles of MDC land and with a width of 90 feet, would disturb over 62 acres. Of course, there will also be many impacts for landowners along the course of the pipeline as well.
After attending and speaking at a hearing on the proposal for MDC lands held in West Hartford on Wednesday night (several groups were also there - CFE, CRWC, Hartford Audubon Society, 350.org, Sierra Club, etc.), I strongly believe that submitting comments to FERC by the October 16th deadline is critical. FERC has the ability to essentially over-rule any local or even state environmental permitting decisions, FERC can confer eminent domain authority to Tennessee Gas to be able to overcome "unwilling landowners", and FERC also has the ability to attach helpful (hopefully) conditions to any approval that they could potentially give.
Following are two links that will hopefully be helpful if you wish to submit comments:
The Connecticut Land Conservation Council's mission is to advocate for land preservation, stewardship and funding, and ensure the long term strength and viability of the land conservation community.
