'Conservationist of the Year' named by ADK Niagara Frontier Chapter

By David Kowalski ~ ADK-NFC Member.


At the Annual Meeting of the ADK Niagara Frontier Chapter, the Conservation Committee presented  Diana Strablow of the Sierra Club Niagara Group with the the Conservationist of the Year Award.

Diana Strablow (holding ADK award plaque in the photo) organized opposition of landowners and environmental groups against National Fuel’s proposed 97-mile Northern Access Pipeline. She also recruited the public to testify against the proposed pipeline at NYS DEC hearings and to submit written comments. The 24-inch diameter pipeline would have crossed private properties in Western New York as well as numerous wetlands and waterways in order to export fracked gas from Pennsylvania to Canada.

Strablow said "We asked Governor Cuomo and the DEC to do the right thing and deny the water quality certificate and air permits for this destructive project. Not only do we have a moral obligation to stop enabling fracking in Pennsylvania, we must protect our finite supply of fresh water."

After an in-depth review of the proposed Northern Access Pipeline project, and following three public hearings and the consideration of over 5,700 comments, NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation denied the permit due to the project’s failure to avoid adverse impacts to wetlands, streams, and fish and other wildlife habitat.

State DEC denied a permit to build the controversial Northern Access Pipeline in Western NY

By David Kowalski

On Saturday April 8, 2017, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) released a statement denying a permit to National Fuel Gas to build the Northern Access Pipeline, citing concerns about impacts on wetlands, streams, fish and wildlife habitat along the route.

If built, Northern Access would transport gas obtained from Pennsylvania’s Marcellus Shale using hydraulic fracturing, or “fracking.” The high-pressure pipeline would move half a billion cubic feet of gas per day through Allegany, Cattaraugus and Erie Counties in Western New York, connecting with an existing pipeline for export to Canada.  

As proposed, the Northern Access Pipeline would have carved a 125-foot wide scar through the northwestern Allegheny Plateau, plowing through 192 stream crossings, 270 wetlands and over13 miles of a sole source aquifer that provides drinking water for thousands of Western New Yorkers. These impacts to water resources mirrored the same potential violations to the Clean Water Act presented by the proposed Constitution Pipeline that the NYS DEC rejected in April 2016, under the same certification requirements. 

Albany Rally ~ #NoNAPL

From the beginning of the permitting process DEC officials warned pipeline developers and federal regulators that the Northern Access Pipeline, as planned, could severely harm New York's water resources without major changes. Those warnings were ignored.

“Western New York deserves the same protection for our water, air and residents,” Diana Strablow, a member of the Sierra Club Niagara Group Executive Committee said earlier. “There should be no sacrifice zones. We asked Governor Cuomo and the DEC to do the right thing and deny the water quality certificate and air permits for this destructive project. Not only do we have a moral obligation to stop enabling fracking in Pennsylvania, we must protect our finite supply of fresh water.” 

Landowners facing eminent domain, conservationists and concerned residents marched from DEC headquarters to the capitol building, where they spoke of the threat the pipeline would pose to their health, safety, air, water and livelihoods. The group also delivered copies of a letter signed by more than 140 organizations, businesses and faith communities calling on the DEC and Governor Andrew Cuomo to deny air and water permits for the 97-mile pipeline. 

"After an in-depth review of the proposed Northern Access Pipeline project and following three public hearings and the consideration of over 5,700 comments, DEC has denied the permit due to the project's failure to avoid adverse impacts to wetlands, streams, and fish and other wildlife habitat," the DEC said in a statement on Saturday. "We are confident that this decision supports our state’s strict water quality standards that all New Yorkers depend on.”

A letter from the DEC sent to National Fuel and Empire Pipeline on Friday, April 7, 2017 detailing the basis for denial of the permit is here.

Sierra Club Niagara Group's Diana Strablow applauded DEC’s decision to deny the pipeline and she is looking forward to a safe, sustainable energy future. She said "The temporary construction jobs the project would have created were not worth the price our climate, our waters and the health, safety and well-being of our residents would have to pay, now and in future generations. We stand ready to support labor union jobs that protect our air and water and ramp up our renewable energy sector. We should not have to choose between good paying jobs and a sustainable future. We need a just transition from fossil fuels that takes care of workers and provides a healthy, liveable environment.”
 
Prior to the DEC's ruling, Lia Oprea, whose property is on the planned pipeline route, said “It’s unbelievable. My family has owned our land for four generations; we’ve been trout fishing in the area since the 1830s and our land is on the National Historic Register. Now, a multi-billion-dollar corporation wants to endanger our lives and our water so they can make more money. That’s not right."

Lia Oprea is now thankful that the pipeline permit was denied and that people united to stop it. She said, “the decision by the DEC renews our family's faith and our rural Western New York neighbors’ faith in local action. It feels as if a tide is turning in the right direction and our voices are finally being heard. It has been a long fight. You don’t get much sleep when your land, your livelihood, your heritage and your future is on the line. Every day, I hike through our fields and woods down to Cattaraugus Creek. which borders the farm that has been in our family for over 100 years. Our neighbors and I couldn’t live with a pipeline tearing through this. Now, thanks to the DEC, we don’t have to.”

The Northern Access Pipeline project previously received approval from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). The granting of permits by the state would have cleared the way for National Fuel to also build a gas compressor station in Pendleton and a dehydration facility in Wheatfield. Plans also called for another compressor station in Elma to be expanded.

Prior to Saturday's decision, critics of the Northern Access Pipeline, including opponents living in Pendleton and Wheatfield, called on the DEC to deny water and air quality permits in hopes of halting the project. In addition to fears regarding emissions, safety and potential leaks, protesters emphasized the 192 stream and 270 wetlands that the pipeline would cross.

Roger Downs, Conservation Director for the Sierra Club Atlantic Chapter, said that this is "an important victory for the thousands of citizen activists and impacted landowners of Western NY, whose grassroots organizing created the political space for this decision to be made. There may be no better remedy to FERC’s automatic rubber-stamp approval process than the kind of persistent public participation that holds decision makers accountable.”

A spokeswoman for National Fuel, Karen Merkel, said Saturday that the company would have no comment at this time. She said a news release would be forthcoming on Monday.  

UPDATES:
Monday, April 10, 2017 - WGRZ: National Fuel Responds to DEC
Tuesday, April 11, 2017 - Buffalo News: National Fuel calls DEC's denial of pipeline project 'troubling'
Tuesday, April 11, 2017 - Buffalo Niagara Riverkeeper: Statement: Northern Access Pipeline Permit Denial
Tuesday, April 11, 2017 - BuffaloNews.com Editorial: Pipeline decision still leaves crucial need for natural gas

RALLY: Stop the Fracked Gas Pipeline - Ride the Bus to Albany

Join Us March 27th to Rally in Albany!

Ride the Bus from Buffalo!

We need you! 

  More Pipelines mean More Fracking for Gas, More Leaks and More Toxic Waste. These are incompatible with Clean Water, Clean Air, and a Stable Climate.

National Fuel is planning to build a 96 mile pipeline to move fracked gas from the drilling fields of PA through our beloved Southern Tier crossing 180 streams, 270 wetlands and 7 ponds along the way. The proposed project includes a strongly opposed  compressor station in Pendleton and a dehydration station in Wheatfield to prepare the gas for export under the Niagara River and into Canada.

For more information, go to: Sierra Club Niagara Group

 

Program: Fracked Gas is a Climate Problem, Not a Solution - And Corporate Rate Increases could Impact You

Rally Outside Cuomo's UB Speech to Stop the Fracked Gas Pipeline

RALLY outside Governor Cuomo's 'State of the State' speech 

Monday January 9th, 2:00 UB North Campus!

Say NO to the Northern Access Pipeline!

In the days before his SOS speech, CALL GOVERNOR CUOMO.

Dial (518) 474-8390

Press 3 to talk with a representative

To see suggested messages, Click Here.

or 

Use your own…there are plenty of compelling reasons to say  

NO NOrthern Access 2016!

We need Gov. Cuomo and the DEC to Deny the DEC 401 Water Quality Permit for National Fuel’s proposed Northern Access 2016 Pipeline Project

WE NEED TO COMPLETE THE BAN ON FRACKING by 

SAYING NO TO FRACKED GAS INFRASTRUCTURE

CONTACT: Diana - Niagara Sierra Club niagarasierra@gmail.com 

RALLY: Stop a Fracked Gas Pipeline - Preserve Waterways and Wetlands

Stop the Northern Access 2016 Pipeline

 
WHAT: Rally at National Fuel Headquarters

WHEN: Wednesday, July 27, 3pm - 6pm

WHERE: 6363 Main St., Williamsville

The Pendleton Action Team and the Sierra Club Niagara Group are joining up to fight the building of a 96 mile fracked gas pipeline, compressor and dehydration stations proposed by National Fuel for Western NY.

Earlier this year, NYS DEC officials rejected the Constitution Pipeline Project, citing damage that it would do to water supplies along the pipeline route.

On that basis alone, the proposed Northern Access Project should not be permitted since it would cross 180 streams, 270 wetlands and 7 ponds in Cattaraugus, Allegany, and Erie Counties.

To add insult to potential injury, the gas would not only cross the Niagara River, it will be exported to Canada.

Furthermore, we need to incentivize infrastructure for Clean, Renewable Energy, not for dirty fossil fuels that cause carbon pollution and global warming.

Check out the Pendleton Action Team on Facebook for more information.
Visit  niagarasierraclub.com for info on our next meeting in August.
Information on the proposed pipeline and associated infrastructure can be found at National Fuel. 

Albany Rally: Break Free From Fossil Fuels - Hop on the Bus!

For a livable climate and a just transition to renewable energy, fossil fuels must be kept in the ground.

 
The Climate Justice Coalition of WNY and the Sierra Club Niagara Group have chartered a bus from Buffalo to a Rally in Albany on Saturday, May 14th calling on NY State to Break Free from Fossil Fuels.

Join concerned citizens to say NO to new fracked gas & oil pipelines and storage, as well as explosive oil trains in our communities. Say YES to clean, renewable energy sources.

This rally is part of a Global Action to Break Free from Fossil Fuels. We will join with thousands of people around the world standing up to say,  KEEP IT IN THE GROUND!

It is time to move toward 100% Renewable Energy!

BUS from BUFFALO: leaving at 5:00 AM from the University at Buffalo South Campus Park & Ride lot on Main Street near the Metro Station. 

ALBANY RALLY will begin at 10:00 AM in Lincoln Park, Eagle St. Entrance, between Morton Ave. & Park Ave.  [Map]

Groups from some areas of the Northeast are being trained and will participate in direct action. We will be there to rally and stand in solidarity, not to participate in the direct action.
 

 For more info on the Albany Rally, Click HERE

Press Conference: STRENGTHEN CUOMO'S DRAFT ENERGY PLAN

Tuesday, Feb. 25th at 9 a.m.

Outside of SUNY Buffalo, Center for Tomorrow, North Campus,

Flint & Service Center Roads, Amherst, NY

TELL CUOMO

New York Energy Plan Misses Mark on Climate Protection

On Tuesday, Feb. 25, NYS is hold hearings on the state’s draft Energy Plan starting at 10:00.  At 9:00, there will be a press conference sponsored by the Sierra Club Niagara Group, NYPIRG at Buffalo State, Western NY Drilling Defense, Food & Water Watch, and New Yorkers Against Fracking.  The plan is intended to be a guide for energy decisions in the state.  Unfortunately, it falls short, failing to adequately address the dangers of climate disruption fueled by the state’s reliance on outdated and dirty fossil fuels.

Lynda Schneekloth, Chair of the Sierra Club Niagara Group, issued the following statement:

Now more than ever we need Governor Cuomo to be a climate leader, but he missed a great opportunity with this plan. New York’s Energy Plan has the potential to be a road map for a stronger economy, cleaner air and a safer future, but we won’t get there with more of the same dirty fuels like coal, gas and nuclear. Doubling down on wind power in upstate and getting steel in the water off our shores will reduce our climate risk, clean up the air and lower energy costs for families and businesses.

Specifically, we believe the plan should be strengthened in the following ways:

·         Ramp up investments in clean, renewable wind power both in upstate and off our shores.

·         Strengthen and extend our renewable energy incentive program and energy efficiency goals for at least 10 years.

·         Retire the state’s aging and uneconomical fossil fuel and nuclear plants, move away from further investments in gas infrastructure and protect our families and water from fracking.

·         Mandate enforceable interim targets to get on track to meet the state’s goal of reducing carbon pollution 80% by 2050.

·         Develop plans for a “Just Transition” for workers and communities that will be impacted by coal plant closures that are not re-powered with methane, but  proceed directly to renewables to boost regional economies.   

~ ~ ~

To view a flier from New Yorkers Against Fracking, click here.

Groups to Oppose Fracked Gas and Favor Renewables at NYS Energy Plan Hearing

Say NO to Fracked Gas at the NYS Energy Plan Public Hearing in Buffalo

By New Yorkers against Fracking and Food & Water Watch 

Our supporters are encouraged to attend the public hearing in Buffalo to make a clear statement about the draft NY State Energy Plan: New York should invest in renewable energy and not include the use of fracked gas in it’s energy future.
 
We will hold a press conference outside the Buffalo hearing and comment at the hearing to let Governor Andrew Cuomo and members of the Energy Planning Board know that fracked gas must be rejected in New York and rejected in this energy plan in order to reach aggressive greenhouse gas emission goals and fully embrace renewable energy in the state. 

The press conference and hearing are at the University at Buffalo North Campus at 9:00 a.m. on February 25th [Map]. Carpools leaving from Burchfield Penney Parking lot (1300 Elmwood Ave Buffalo NY) at 8:30 a.m. sharp.

For more information click here.

~ ~ ~

A Call for Online Comments from the Public:

Whether natural gas is coming from New York State or neighboring Pennsylvania, it still contributes to climate change and perpetuates the mining and burning of dirty fossil fuels long into the future. Instead of increasing our reliance on natural gas, we should be planning for greater investment in clean, renewable energies such as solar, wind and geothermal. Join us in asking for a safer, cleaner energy future by commenting on the plan today.

 For more information, click here.

 ~ ~ ~

Please Note: Public Comment period extended through April  30, 2014