A Westchester woman says she’s standing up for her community by standing in the way of construction crews extending a natural gas pipeline near Indian Point nuclear power plant.
Nancy Vann refused to leave her property Friday, stymieing efforts by crews to clear-cut an area of land near the Indian Point, where an energy company wants to place a gas pipeline. About six protesters with signs joined her Friday, as crews cut down large trees.
Vann stood within 300 feet of clearing crews working on the Algonquin Incremental Market (AIM) project, which expands a high-pressure pipeline close to the nuclear plant, 25 miles north of New York City.
Vann was joined by Peekskill Councilmember Kathleen Talbot, who stood nearby to show her support. Other protesters were there as well. Some climbed trees to stop workers from moving forward. The branch of one tumbling tree struck a protester as it fell to the leaf-strewn ground.
Some residents say the AIM pipeline is being built without the permission of the community. They argue that it's dangerous to have a natural gas pipeline so close to a nuclear power plant and are concerned about the environmental impact. The energy company says it follows all federal safety guidelines and has worked in the community for years.
Crews would be violating their own safety guidelines if they were to clear-cut the site with Vann and the others standing just 300 feet from their machines and equipment.
The 42-inch diameter pipeline is being built by Spectra Energy, which is headquartered in Texas. The company said in a statement that it respects the rights of people to peacefully protest but that protesters shouldn’t put themselves in dangerous situations or interfere with crews.
Local
“They claim to be concerned about my safety, but what about the safety of the 20 million people at risk from a pipeline accident at Indian Point,” Vann said.
Resist AIM, a local advocacy group, said in a statement that Vann is protesting on property she owns. Spectra has used eminent domain to seize property for construction, despite the community’s wishes, according to Resist AIM.
Spectra says its Algonquin gas transmission system has been operating safely in the area for more than half a century and that the system provides clean and reliable natural gas from the U.S. to heat nearby homes and businesses.
“The AIM Project facilities are designed and will be constructed, operated and maintained to meet or exceed federal safety standards and regulations,” Spectra said in a statement.
The company said that it’s committed to protecting the residents and the environment. It also said that AIM has undergone an intense public review process that involved numerous meetings with the public, as well as federal, state and local officials and advocacy groups.
Westchester County Legislator Catherine Parker said the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and Nuclear Regulatory Commission are unwilling to consider how the project would affect the community.
“Federal agencies have failed to protect Westchester County residents,” she said.
