NORWICH – The Chenango County Board of Supervisors is getting behind a proposal that would see construction of a 124-mile long natural gas pipeline stretching from northern Pennsylvania to New York’s Capital Region.
Board members have unanimously approved a resolution supporting the development of the Constitution Pipeline, a natural gas delivery project proposed to run from Susquehanna County, Penn. to the Town of Wright in Schoharie County, NY.
The pipeline would connect to two existing interstate natural gas pipelines in Schoharie: the Iroquois Gas Transmission (which extends to NYC metropolitan area) and the Tennessee Gas Pipeline (which serves markets in New England).
According to the Chenango County Board, the pipeline would also have an indelible economic impact locally as the proposed route passes through the Chenango County towns of Afton and Bainbridge.
“Those communities and its residents where the pipeline crosses should realize host benefits from the pipeline,” reads the resolution adopted by the board at its December monthly meeting.
If the project continues forward, the Constitution Pipeline Company and the Leatherstocking Gas Company have plans to install four delivery taps along the Constitution’s route that would provide natural gas to commercial and residential areas in Afton and Bainbridge. Additionally, it would supply for portions of Broome and Delaware counties.
“Low cost natural gas could benefit residents and businesses alike,” the resolution states.
In spite of deliberation from some county officials who wanted a more balanced debate before passing a similar resolution in 2014, the call for support this time around was unanimous.
Advocates say the project will create jobs during construction, and an additional revenue stream from another taxable entity. Public officials also argue that it would help retain businesses, attract new ones, and reduce energy costs for residents as well as municipal buildings and school districts.
The Constitution Pipeline Company has received approval from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and is in the process of NYS DEC and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers permitting to building the pipeline.
Currently one other natural gas pipeline runs through Chenango County. The NYSEG pipeline built in 1962 has been without issue for more than 50 years.
If the project continues to move forward, Afton and Bainbridge may get natural gas access within five years.
According to the Constitution Pipeline Company, the project is expected to generate approximately $17 million in new sales and income tax revenue, and have a projected annual property tax benefit of $1.3 million in Chenango County.
“Constitution Pipeline Company is committed to working with landowners, as well as local, state and federal agencies, to design and construct the project in a manner that minimizes environmental and landowner impacts,” the company states on its website. “The company is committed to extensive public outreach in advance of submitting our application to the FERC.”