Pipeline Battle Continues

It has been almost 1 year since Islander East submitted an application to construct a natural gas pipeline that would rip through North Haven, North Branford, Branford go into and across Long Island Sound. Although Islander East got a running start, the grassroots opposition that coalesced over the past 10 months is making itself, heard, known, and most important creating an impact.

The original Preliminary Determination, granted by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) based solely on economic factors was rescinded and a decision based upon a full Environmental Impact Statement was called for. This was victory number 1.

The FERC completed the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) in early spring and has been receiving comments and corrections since. Although we will not know the outcome of the comments received, we do know that the Commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and the US Environmental Protection Agency have both torn the DEIS apart. Both have stated firmly that the FERC has no business approving an application that has not begun to address concerns raised regarding the environmental destruction that will take place if this permit is granted. While the Connecticut DEP has no authority over the FERC, the US EPA does. Their demand for more information will slow the Islander East application down tremendously. Victory number 2.

Finally, a few months ago legislation was drafted calling for a yearlong moratorium on all “Cross Sound” proposals. Although this legislation does not include the Cross Sound Cable in New Haven, it does include the Islander East pipeline through Branford. This piece of legislation was created with little hope of passage, perhaps only a glimmer… Yet, through an act of sheer will by Connecticut citizens combined with pressure from various grassroots non-profit organizations, local legislators, and the Attorney General’s office the legislation was passed unanimously and signed by the Governor. Although this legislation cannot prevent the FERC from moving forward with the Islander East application, it seems unlikely the FERC will bowl over such a strong collective statement from a state. Victory number 3.

No doubt this battle will go on for quite some time, but we will keep fighting this pipeline and savor one victory at a time.

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Last updated 18 September, 2004 .