By Greg Lalevee
Fate of planned pipeline along Thruway right-of-way should be up to SEQRA, not left to local municipal boards
Forty years ago, following enormous effort on the part of environmentally minded citizens of New York, the state Legislature enacted the State Environmental Quality Review Act, known as SEQRA. The new law required regulators to factor in the environmental impacts of potential large-scale projects.
By Kirk S. Lippold
The issue of U.S. energy independence should not be controversial. Experts agree that strengthening our self-reliance to meet our energy needs strengthens national security.
Today, the U.S. is experiencing a renaissance in the energy industry, spurred by new technologies that increase oil and gas production. The key now, as many have observed, is ensuring that these products get to market by building the infrastructure necessary to distribute our newfound fuels.
Opinion By Thomas Koshy
Dear Editor:
I recently stopped at a Kingston railroad crossing and counted 110 bomb cars carrying crude oil from Bakken shale in North Dakota, going to New Jersey refineries. By nature, I am not an alarmist, but was concerned about potential accidents. I would rather have this oil flow through our neighborhood underground with less risk. America has to become self-sufficient in oil and gas produced here rather than halfway across the world, where we have to go to war to get it.
Environmentalists like myself insist we should go for alternative energy like solar, wind, biofuel, geothermal, etc. But the transition from dirty to clean energy is not instant. I have solar panels — 98 of them — on my property, generating all my electricity in the last 10 years, and have a hybrid electric car that gets 100 miles per gallon off my own grid.
By Scott Fallon
A group of trade unions announced their support Wednesday for a proposed oil pipeline through North Jersey in an effort to sway public opinion and persuade lawmakers to reconsider their opposition.
The Pilgrim Pipeline has faced a barrage of criticism in the past year — more than 30 town councils, five county freeholder boards and both houses of the state Legislature have passed resolutions condemning the project.
By Jeannie O’Sullivan
The proposal for an estimated $1 billion pipeline that would carry Bakken Shale oil though New Jersey and New York has shored up support from a coalition of unions and business groups, tempering the largely critical reception the plan has drawn so far.
The Coalition to Support Pilgrim Pipeline said pipelines “significantly” limit the oil spill risk compared to other modes of transportation, is kinder to the environment than trucks or barges and provides “a more reliable source of critical fuel products for Northeast U.S. consumers…
By Ben Horowitz
NEWARK — A group of eight labor unions and business associations have formed a coalition aimed at gathering public support for the embattled Pilgrim Pipeline proposal.
Signaling that Pilgrim is preparing to press its effort to gain government approvals, the group announced the formation of the Coalition to Support Pilgrim Pipeline.
By Daniel Hubbard
The Heavy and General Construction Laborers Local 472 and other unions are fighting for 2,000 construction jobs the project would create.
Several unions from New York and New Jersey and a Bergen County freeholder are fighting for the 2,000 construction jobs the Pilgrim Pipeline would create if it is built.
– Read more of the Ridgewood-Glen Rock Patch article
By Anthony Forlai
9/21/2015
Regarding “Bergen freeholders vote to oppose pipeline project” (Page L-5, Sept. 17):
Congratulations to Bergen County Freeholder John Felice for being the board’s lone voice for responsible energy infrastructure development in New Jersey. While the other board members pandered to certain environmental groups opposing the Pilgrim Pipeline, Felice put facts ahead of easy political points.
The facts are that pipelines are the safest and most environmentally responsible way to transport the fuels we all depend on, and that Pilgrim will bring well-paying jobs to New Jersey’s working families.
–Read The Record: Letters, Thursday Sept. 24
By Joe Benardella II
July 17
Regarding “Pipeline foes seek freeholder support” (Page L-1, July 16):
The Bergen County freeholders must be sure to gather all the facts about the proposed Pilgrim Pipeline and other available energy transportation options before passing judgment.
The truth is, by any statistical test, pipelines are by far the safest means of transporting oil, a resource that will power our economy for decades to come. While many opponents reside outside Bergen County, most residents recognize the need for responsible energy infrastructure development and the many jobs it creates for working families. The freeholders should allow the state to conduct its full review before taking a position on the issue.
–Read The Record: Letters, Thursday, July 23
By John DiMasi
The Morris County freeholders decided awhile back to join the Sierra Club’s bandwagon of alarmists in opposition to the proposed Pilgrim Pipeline, which would carry oil and refined petroleum products between Albany, N.Y. and Linden. It is unfortunate that the freeholders did not bother to consider the benefits of the pipeline, which ironically, would actually help the environment, not hurt it.
–Read more of the Daily Record article
