State says Inergy analysis should be public

    READING—The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has denied Inergy, LLC's initial claim that the quantitative risk analysis (QRA) of the proposed gas storage facility in Reading should be confidential.
    David Bimber, DEC regional permit administrator, said the state received Inergy's QRA and letter asking that the document be kept confidential on March 9.  He said, "We objected to that."  He added the DEC responded to that letter by March 20 saying the QRA should available to the public.
    However, before that happens, Inergy has a chance to appeal the decision.  If Inergy is going to send one, Bimber said the DEC has to receive an appeal in the mail by Friday, March 30.
    "Their letter did not adequately support withholding the (QRA) document from public disclosure," said Bimber.
    He explained Inergy claimed the QRA contained confidential commercial information and/or critical infrastructure data.  He said that infrastructure information is kept confidential to prevent vandalism or terrorism.  However, after looking at the document Bimber said the state "disagreed with both ascertains on the part of the company."
    The DEC is still reviewing all of the information on the proposed $40 million liquid petroleum gas storage and transfer facility.  Bimber said they are not close to making a final approval decision on the project.