Federal agency approves gas storage

READING—The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) recently approved an application to expand Crestwood Midstream’s natural gas storage capabilities in abandoned salt caverns along Seneca Lake. The decision came Thursday, May 15, and permits Crestwood to expand their natural gas storage capabilities to 2 billion cubic feet by utilizing unused salt caverns by Seneca Lake. There is also a plan for Crestwood to build a liquid petroleum gas (LPG) storage facility, but still requires Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) approval.
This decision comes despite facing opposition to the plan from area activist groups who highlight the potential safety and economic concerns the project poses to the region.
“We have to draw the line here and now,” said Joseph Campbell of Gas Free Seneca. “Our community is at a tipping point, and our fate is in the hands of Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s DEC. Allowing Crestwood to proceed with either the natural gas project or the LPG facility will jeopardize the sustainable economy we’ve worked so hard to build. We sincerely hope that the governor and the DEC will realize what’s at stake and act to protect Seneca Lake.”
Other members of Gas Free Seneca have also voiced their disagreement with the decision, citing geological and environmental reasons as to why the salt caverns may currently be unsafe to house additional natural gas.
“We are outraged by FERC’s decision,” said Yvonne Taylor of Gas Free Seneca. “Our expert cited a published study of massive roof failure in one of the proposed gas storage caverns, and the company still claimed no knowledge of the collapse. FERC may not care about that either ignorant or dishonest denial, but we do—our safety and property values hang in the balance.”