Opponents of Natural Gas Pipeline Urge Feds to Stop Expansion

Activists are calling on Sen. Chuck Schumer and Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand to do more to stop the Algonquin Incremental Market pipeline (AIM), a natural gas pipeline that would expand the width of an existing 26-inch pipeline that runs from southern New Jersey to Boston through the Hudson Valley, and within 100 feet of the Indian Point Nuclear power plant.

Now, Gillibrand and Schumer are seeking to halt the project.

Spectra Energy, which runs the pipeline, said in a statement it received approval for the expansion after a two-year review process, "that involved significant public participation." Additionally, it said, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission "confirmed in its Order on Rehearing the validity of its Certificate for the AIM Project as well as the findings of other federal and state agencies."

In February, Gov. Andrew Cuomo called on the commission, which oversees interstate gas pipelines, to review its approval of the project. They declined his request.

Spectra expects gas to be flowing through the new pipeline by November.