Nuclear Power And Natural Gas Collide in the Hudson Valley

A recent Inspector General report has indicated that scientists working to assess the likelihood that a gas leak would occur on the newly constructed Algonquin pipeline expansion may have been working backwards from their conclusions to achieve a desired result. The Algonquin pipeline expansion cuts through the Hudson Valley, and sits just 115 feet away from highly radioactive waste at the Indian Point Nuclear Power Plant. A malfunction derived form the close proximity of the two could result in a nuclear catastrophe worse than Fukushima, placing the lives of more than 20 million people who live in the New York - Tri-State area in danger. 

In light of this report state, local, and federal officials are now calling on the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to explain why the agency thought it was reasonable to construct an expansion to the Algonquin pipeline just 115 feet away from the Nuclear Power Plant at Indian Point.

According to those familiar with the problem, Governor Cuomo called for a halt to construction of the pipeline before the expansion was completed, but it was ignored. Cuomo also supposedly demanded that a risk assessment to address the safety of the locations of the Algonquin pipeline expansion, but that assessment was later altered to address the risks of the upcoming closing of Indian Point in 2021, rather than the safety of the pipelines.

After multiple years of local activists filing Freedom of Information Act requests for the original risk assessment, the state finally released an executive summary of the risk assessment on June 22nd, 2018. That executive summary revealed several suspected risks which should've called for further investigation, including reevaluating the original analysis used to obtain approval for the Algonquin pipeline expansion in the first place.

This is unacceptable, a Governor, and a state, must do more to ensure the safety of its people. 

The Algonquin pipeline was fist constructed in the 1950's in Westchester and Putnam counties, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts, and the expansion this issue is centered around was completed in 2017. The pipeline expansion crosses under the Hudson River, into Westchester, traversing under the Indian Point Nuclear Power Plant, continuing into Peekskill, Yorktown, Putnam, and Connecticut. 

The expansion has included increasing the diameter of the pipeline from 26 inches to 42 inches, and expanding the pumping power at compressor stations in Stoney Point, Rockland, Westchester, Southeast, and Putnam counties by up to 55% in order to increase the natural gas flow to the area. 

The continued expansion of natural gas infrastructure increases the likelihood of air and water pollution which pose a significant risk to the health of local communities, and the environment. Westchester and surrounding New York counties do not meet air quality standards, and residents are subjected to increased levels of ground level, and ozone particulate matter which have been associated with negative health outcomes including respiratory, and cardio vascular disease. 

According to data from the Pipeline Hazardous Material Safety Administration, newly constructed pipelines and their infrastructure, like the Algonquin pipeline expansion, are subject to leaks, fires, explosions, and numerous other malfunctions. On top of the natural health and environmental risks that coincide with expanding natural gas pipelines, the Algonquin pipeline expansion also sited adjacent to critical safety infrastructure at the Indian Point Nuclear Power Plant.

The pipeline sits just 105 feet form the fuel tank that supplies backup generators for the power plant, and just 115 feet from the switchyard that provides power for the plant to function safely. This site is also located on two different earthquake fault lines, and is the only nuclear power plant in America with gas transmission pipelines.