Some elected officials joined with a group of Peekskill residents in Pugsley Park in the city to protest the proposed upgrade of the Algonquin Gas Pipeline system by the energy company Enbridge known as “Project Beacon.” About three years ago, Enbridge proposed an expansion of the pipeline system that runs through parts of New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island and Massachusetts. It was called the “Project Maple” pipeline expansion and met with intense opposition and did not move forward.
“Did the last pipeline to come through Peekskill lower our bills? No, it didn’t. ‘Project Beacon,’ aka ‘Project Maple,’ won’t either. Whatever you want to call it, we don’t need the disruption and pollution this pipeline expansion will cause for any reason,” said Assemblywoman Dana Levenberg. “I remain firmly opposed to this project, because locally-developed clean energy is what we need for lower bills and healthy homes.”
The opponents expressed the opinion that expansion would drastically increase the flow of gas through the pipeline obtained from fracking. They say that Enbridge is in the process of gauging the interest energy companies might have in buying the gas the expansion would bring and would have to ensure financing and obtain necessary permits.
Tarrytown trustee Effie Phillips-Staley said, “Let’s call ‘Project Beacon’ exactly what it is: a corporate rebrand of the same dirty ‘Project Maple’ pipeline expansion that over 200 local and state elected officials already fought and defeated. It’s time to put toxic energy behind us and direct our resources toward clean, renewable sources of the future.”
Rockland County Legislator Beth Davidson said, “I’m proud to have worked alongside environmental advocates to pass the first countywide resolution in New York State to oppose ‘Project Maple,’ and I’ll work just as tirelessly to stop ‘Project Beacon.’ We’ve sent Albany and Washington a strong message: no more dirty and dangerous pipeline expansions in our communities.”
According Shokoofeh Rajabzadeh of Climate Families Westchester, “We are hopeful that after seeing our resilience and determination in the last round, our leaders – including Hochul – will step up and stop ‘Project Beacon’ or any other dirty fossil fuel project that comes our way.”
In a statement issued late last month, Sena Wazer of the Sierra Club Connecticut said, “The expansion of Enbridge’s pipeline will only raise energy costs and pollute communities. Our overreliance on methane gas is a primary driver of Connecticut’s high electricity costs. Pipeline construction will add to those costs. And to top it off, Enbridge has been fined for exceeding its air pollution limits in our state. Governor Lamont and other Northeastern Governors must stand up and oppose any new gas pipeline expansions. Neither our wallets nor our health can afford it.”
Politico reported that Enbridge, which is based in Calgary, met with members of the Trump administration and briefed members of Trump’s National Energy Dominance Council on what it believes “Project Beacon” could do to provide more gas for electricity generation as well as heating.
