Great News! The Albany Loop pipeline is stopped –for now!

In its current rate increase proposal before the Public Service Commission, National Grid quietly announced that, “the Company has determined that there are adequate gas supplies …, such that we are able to temporarily defer the Albany Loop project from a supply  perspective.” This, “provides a window of opportunity to … offer new solutions (e.g., renewable natural gas, geothermal) … and potentially delay or avoid the need for this and other projects.” The company, however, also stressed that plans for the line are still being explored for future years.

We at Stop NY Fracked Gas Pipeline (SNYFGP) fought the Northeast Energy Direct (NED) pipeline, we helped fight the Sheridan Hollow Power Plant, and now the Albany Loop pipeline, and they have all been stopped.  Is this because we are great organizers?  Yes, in part… But… it’s also because the fossil fuel industry is on the skids due to the worldwide climate movement. The Paris Climate Agreement signed by 189 countries which have agreed to cut greenhouse gas emissions and the New York Climate Law requiring a 40% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions in just 10 years, makes it virtually impossible to justify any new fossil fuel infrastructure.

SNYFGP and Community Advocates for a Sustainable Environment (CASE) will file comments in the National Grid Rate Case to demand that plans for the pipeline be stopped and instead National Grid bring wind, solar, geothermal and conservation to upstate customers. You too can speak at the public statement hearings beginning on Wednesday, September 23rd – see the action section below!