Kingston Common Council adopts resolution…
Kingston Common Council adopts resolution formally opposing Pilgrim Pipeline
Company website photo
Pilgrim Pipeline LLC logo
By Ariél Zangla | azangla@freemanonline.com and Ariél Zangla | Daily Freeman
PUBLISHED: January 13, 2015 at 11:35 a.m. | UPDATED: July 21, 2021 at 10:19 a.m.
KINGSTON >> The city of Kingston has joined several other local municipalities in voicing its opposition to the proposed 178-mile Pilgrim Pipeline.
During a meeting last week, the Common Council voted 8-0 to adopt a memorializing resolution opposing the Pilgrim proposal. That proposal calls for the company to ship Bakken crude from Albany to Linden, N.J., through a pipeline that roughly would follow the state Thruway corridor. Refined crude products would be returned to Albany via a parallel line, under the proposal.
Alderman Brian Seche, D-Ward 2, was absent from the meeting.
Alderman Brad Will, D-Ward 3, said the pipeline, if approved, would cross several sensitive waterways in the region and through a portion of the city. He said the pipeline could hurt the environment and endanger public safety.
"I'm glad it passed unanimously," Will said Monday of the council's resolution. "It certainly was the right thing to do."
He said he used a model resolution and added language specific to the city of Kingston to draft the legislation adopted by the Common Council, adding that while the resolution does not "have teeth" with which to be enforced, the legislation adds Kingston to the list of other municipalities opposed to the pipeline. The municipalities joining together could have an affect on Pilgrim's proposal, Will said.
The towns of Rosendale, New Paltz, Woodstock and Rhinebeck have also taken formal stands against the Pilgrim proposal. Officials in Rosendale, New Paltz and the town of Ulster have also said they lack sufficient firefighting resources to handle potential emergencies along the pipeline route.
According to the city's resolution, the proposed pipeline would be laid in areas containing sensitive aquifers upon which residents depend for drinking water. It also said the pipeline threatens important surface water resources, including the Plattekill, Sawyerkill, Esopus and Rondout creeks, as well as the Hudson River. The pipeline could threaten the health, safety and welfare of the communities it passes through and could decrease the values of homes located along the route, the resolution states.
Additionally, the resolution states that any rupture or compromise of the pipeline, even without an explosion or fire, would "require extraordinary cleanup efforts, could force residents from their homes, and place a large number of residents in close proximity to hazardous materials." The legislation calls on the governor and state Legislature to oppose construction of the pipeline and also calls on the Thruway Authority to reject use of its right-of-way for the project.
Though most of the proposed pipeline would follow the Thruway right-of-way, some private properties would be traversed.
Pilgrim previously came under fire for threatening legal action against private property owners who deny access to company surveyors.
"If you … decline to allow Pilgrim to enter your property, Pilgrim will have no choice but to ask a court to issue an order allowing it to enter the property," one letter from the company to property owners stated.
Last month, Ulster town Supervisor James Quigley turned down a request by Pilgrim to access town-owned property because the company declined to attend a public meeting about the project.
"Sen. Schumer airs concerns about Pilgrim Pipeline proposal," Dec. 25, 2104
"Coalition Against Pilgrim Pipeline Saugerties pushes for formal Town Board opposition to the project," Dec. 23, 2014
"Ulster town supervisor rejects Pilgrim Pipeline survey request," Dec. 20, 2014
"Woodstock Town Board joins opposition to proposed Pilgrim Pipeline," Dec. 17, 2014
"Rhinebeck Town Board joins opposition to oil pipeline proposal," Dec. 9, 2014
"Rosendale town officials say property owners can rescind permission for oil pipeline surveys," Dec. 3, 2014
"Town of New Paltz takes formal stand against Pilgrim Pipeline proposal," Nov. 20, 2014
"New Paltz Pilgrim Pipeline forum draws 120 people," Nov. 17, 2014
"Rosendale Town Board opposes proposal to pipe crude along New York State Thruway," Nov. 12, 2014
Map of proposed route of Pilgrim Pipeline
"Pilgrim Pipeline letter demanding access to private properties angers Sierra Club," Nov. 6, 2014
"Proposed pipeline project along Thruway raises questions from Rosendale town officials," Sept. 10, 2014
"Ulster County planner laments lack of details about proposed Pilgrim Pipeline," Sept. 4, 2014
"Environmental groups push to block proposed NJ to Albany Pilgrim Pipeline due to safety concerns," May 20, 2014
"Oil pipeline proposed from New Jersey to Albany would pass through Mid-Hudson Valley," May 12, 2014
"Thruway eyed for crude oil pipeline to New Jersey," timesunion.com, March 12, 2014
Pilgrim Pipeline Holdings LLC
Ariél Zangla