The Northern Access Pipeline

NoNAPLCo. Report  — June 11, 2019

Brief Background :   On April 7th 2017, NYSDEC denied the 401 Water Certification for the project. In August 2018 the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) overturned NYSDEC’s decision by falsely claiming that NYSDEC did not act in time with their denial. NYSDEC and the Sierra Club are fighting this FERC ruling. In the meantime, National Fuel stands ready to plow ahead with this project ignoring NYSDEC’s carefully researched and considered environmental concerns especially regarding the 192 stream crossings. National Fuel is also now moving ahead against the will of the people who do not want to give up rights to their land by pursuing eminent domain cases against landowners. One couple who won their case on appeal, is now being challenged and taken to court by National Fuel for the THIRD time. National Fuel has also recently filed with FERC, requesting a three year extension on the project with a projected completion date in 2022.

 

Update:  On Thursday May 30, 2019 the NY State Attorney General’s Office and the Sierra Club each filed Petition for Review in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, seeking review of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s decision that the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation waived its authority to deny National Fuel’s water quality certification under Section 401 of the Clean Water Act. The No NAPL Coalition and allies across NY stand with NYSDEC’s on time denial due to serious environmental impacts and we will continue resistance of the Northern Access 2016 Pipeline Project.

Sit, Stand, Sing:

We brought together our ‘Super Powers’ to join in community to resist the harm of a fracked gas pipeline and learn that TOGETHER we can do this!!  We sang…  We stood… and we learned of the many roles of direct action… We learned of new tools and resources and made new connections…

Let’s all stay connected – stay tuned for our next NoNAPL action. We will be gathering to plan a tour of impacted areas along the 97 mile route of the pipeline and we need all of you to bring along your Super Powers!!   In the meantime…here are two important upcoming events:

It’s crunch time. No single issue threatens New York like climate change and we have just two weeks left for the NYS legislature to pass groundbreaking legislation that will take the climate crisis head on and put New York on the path to 100% renewable energy. We need your help in making sure the Assembly, Senate and Governor pass the Climate and Community Protection Act before the end of the session, June 19th.  Here is what you can do:

1) Join us June 11 at the State Capitol in Albany. Rally at 11am followed by opportunities to lobby and influence lawmakers to move the bill. Details for the day, including transportation information can be found here.  PUSH Buffalo has seats on their bus from Buffalo Get on the Bus with PUSH Buffalo next Tuesday June 11, as they travel to rally in Albany to PUSH for passage of the Climate and Community Protection Act in the final days of the NYS legislative session.

2) Send a message to your Senator, Assemblymember and Governor Cuomo demanding that they don’t let the legislative session expire without coming to an agreement on the Climate and Community Protection Act.