PSC to Hold Public Statement Hearing in Lebanon

Public Service Commission to accept comments on proposed eight-mile natural gas pipeline Nov. 18

RANDALLSVILLE – State Public Service Commission (PSC) officials have confirmed that they will convene a Public Statement Hearing at the request of the Town of Lebanon on the proposed 8 mile 16-inch high pressure steel pipeline natural gas delivery pipeline, in the towns of Lebanon and Eaton on Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2009 at 7 p.m. at the Randallsville New Life Christian Church on River Road in Randallsville.

    The proposed pipeline is deemed necessary by Norse Gas/Nornew officias due to the increasing productivity of a growing number of gas wells drilled in Lebanon and neighboring Smyrna. The new high pressure line would transport gas to the Compressor Station on Lebanon Hill Road in the Town of Eaton,which then forwards it to the larger natural gas line in the Morrisville area that sends gas throughout the state and country to energy providers.

    Lebanon Supervisor Jim Goldstein said that he had confirmed the PSC intention to hold this meeting, which he requested through the PSC and the office of Assemblyman William Magee, after a Sept. 14 public information hearing hosted by the town on the proposed pipeline and requested road bores under town roads drew a number of questions, complaints and safety concerns from a crowd of standing room only Lebanon area residents.

    Goldstein said that town officials have delayed action on requested permits for road bores related to town roads including Deep Spring, Bastain, Lebanon Center, Lebanon HIll, Soule and Geer Roads until the results of the hearing and public feedback on the issue.

    The project also involves proposed road bores on county roads including South Lebanon Road, Lebanon Road and Reservoir Road.

    Norse Gas/Nornew Inc. has proposed the high pressure steel pipeline to be installed, buried and run along the same right of way path as its current existing gathering lines in the township, which produced multiple questions at the Sept. 14 hearing.

    Those interested in provided statements should following guidelines established by the PSC for testimony (attached) or can submit comments in advance in writting to the PSC.

    Goldstein said the hearing is one of a continuing efforts by the township to keep the public informed on natural gas development issues and to give local residents an opportunity to have input into local decisions by the Town board in these areas.

    Goldstein also said he learned this past weekend of plans by Norse Gas/Nornew Inc. to seek to do seismic testing on approximately 8 miles of private land stretching south from the South Lebanon Road area down into Chenango County. Goldstein said he consulted with Norse officials and confirmed that this testing would not involve public roads in his township or Madison County but would seek to test where there are existing permits or to sign new seismic or leasing permits.

    Goldstein said he advises all landowners to seek qualified legal counsel and consult the Attorney General’s office and New York Farm Bureau website on leasing and seismic questions, and encourages landowners who are interested in permitting or considering gas development on their property to join one of the active land coalitions in Madison or Chenango County where there is more ability to bargain and provide environmental protections and safeguards through group leasing activities.

    Residents wishing to learn more about the pipeline proposal can visit the website address below and follow the PSC instructions or contact Supervisor Goldstein at (315) 837-4152.

One Comment on "PSC to Hold Public Statement Hearing in Lebanon"

Daniel Schiappa on Tue, 10th Nov 2009 8:47 am

I would like to see the proposed route of the new 16″ pipeline through Chenango County south to route 16 in Plymoth.

PSC to Hold Public Statement Hearing in Lebanon

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