Natural Gas Project Discussed in Southeast
A proposal to expand the capacity of the Algonquin natural gas pipeline was sharply questioned at the Nov. 21 Southeast Town Board meeting.
James Luskay, a regional director of engineering and construction for Spectra Energy told the town board the proposed changes would be made for the Algonquin pile line, which runs from New Jersey to Massachusetts. The Algonquin Incremental Market (AIM) Project seeks to increase the capacity of the natural gas pipeline, he said.
Luskay said there were two provisions of the AIM project being sought for Southeast. The company is seeking to increase the size of portions of the 800 feet of the pipeline in tow from 26 inches in diameter to 42 inches, he said. In addition, the company is seeking to construct is seeking to install a second turbine at the compactor station in town, which would proved an additional 13,200 horsepower at the facility.
If the AIM project is approved by agencies in New York City, New York State and the federal government, there would be an increase of pipeline capacity of 13 percent, Luskay said. If the approvals are granted, his company is scheduled to begin the project in April 2015 and have construction completed by November 2016, Luskay said.
Currently, Spectra Energy pays the town $1.97 million in property taxes annually and that figure would be increased if the project is approved, Luskay said, adding the amount of additional taxes would be known after a reassessment of the compressor station was completed by New York State.
Luskay noted that the town board previously had several questions for his company, including many questions about safety related to the project. “Safety is the absolute core of our business,” he said.
Luskay stressed that his company only transports gas, “We are not in the gas extraction business,” he said.
A few residents expressed their questions and concerns about the project at last week’s meeting. John Lord asked if the company monitors potential pipeline leaks. All of his company’s compressor stations have monitors that look for gas leaks, Luskay said. A pipeline leak is “a very rare occurrence,” he said.
Another resident, Ann Fanizzi, expressed skepticism about the proposals. “This is a 30 percent expansion” of the pipeline capacity, she said. Environmental and safety issues must be explored regarding the project, she said. “These are new conditions,” she said.
