WHEATFIELD, N.Y. -- The passionate crowd gathered Friday afternoon in Wheatfield, all upset about the construction of a National Fuel-backed gas pipeline as well as a dehydration facility in their town.
The Northern Access 2016 Project aims to construct close to 100 miles of pipeline from the Marcellus Shale in Pennsylvania, through New York, and connect it to the TransCanada pipeline. A dehydrator on Liberty Drive would take moisture out of the gas so it's fit for delivery across the border, but those at the rally say they're concerned about safety and the environment.
"Emissions of methane, benzene, toluene, formaldehyde and hydrogen sulfide are not a good idea for the safety of our community,” said Diana Strablow of Sierra Club Niagara Group.
The Liberty Drive site is also a stone's throw away from the Wheatfield Lakes development, sparking concern among residents about its close proximity to their homes.
"We have the anti-fracking bill, we have some fracking waste bans as well in the works so we are still very, very hopeful that New York State will step in and deny some permits,” said Jennifer Wozniak, Wheatfield resident.
Representatives from National Fuel said they've heard the concerns and changed pipeline routes based on requests. They added the dehydrator would only be used once or twice a year, and emissions are similar to burning gas in a furnace.
Still, folks at the rally would rather see the money go toward other forms of energy - solar, wind, and geothermal.
"If the money gets invested in this pipeline it’s going to delay the switch we need to do to renewable energy,” said Strablow.
"This should be the future of Western New York. Not fracking gas being pumped through old infrastructure," said Town Supervisor Nathan McMurray, Grand Island.
Although looked at by Wheatfield's Planning Board, construction of the dehydrator will need final approval by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission