Livingston Manor – Constitution Pipeline has lost a federal case challenging the NY DEC’s refusal to grant the project a water-quality certificate for the $685 million project, which had previously received federal approvals. Represented by Earthjustice, Catskill Mountainkeeper had intervened in the case with two other groups to help DEC defend its denial.
This momentous decision protects our communities and environment from a 124-mile pipeline that would have carried fracked gas from PA to Canada. Countless communities, over 1,000 acres of forests and farms, and nearly 300 vulnerable waterways are no longer under threat.
This is a significant victory, and stands in stark contrast to national policies. This decision has national implications confirming a States right to protect its communities and environment from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commissions (FERC) flawed process, which approved the pipeline, despite the fact the DEC had not issued the 401 certificate.
“This is not just a victory for the impacted people along the route in New York, but gives hope across the country for people facing the onslaught of oil and gas infrastructure,” said Wes Gillingham, Associate Director for Catskill Mountainkeeper. “Constitution pipeline came here thinking they were going to build the infrastructure to keep us addicted to fossil fuels for years – plowing through our communities with a pipeline. The collective efforts of Local groups, regional groups, national environmental groups, and a long list of individuals committed to stopping the Pipeline have eviscerated their greedy plan.”
Catskill Mountainkeeper would like to congratulate the Cuomo Administration, the DEC, and all of the organizations and activists who fought to stop the Constitution Pipeline.
