Inergy now proposes two brine ponds

    READING—Inergy Midstream LLC, the parent company of Finger Lakes LPG Storage, LLC, is now proposing to construct two smaller brine ponds for the $40 million liquid petroleum gas storage and transfer facility in Reading.
    David Bimber, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation regional permit administrator, said the state received Inergy's proposal changes in the mail, Jan. 23.  He said one such change to the project was establishing two brine ponds instead of the original 14 acre one.  Bimber added the two ponds combined are both smaller than 14 acres: a two acre pond near U.S. Salt's current brine pond and a seven acre pond next to the proposed railroad hub.
    The DEC had previously asked Inergy to change the proposal to include two brine ponds.  Bimber added that Inergy would work more with U.S. Salt, which Inergy owns, in providing extra brine in the winter to push gas out of the salt caverns and to store excess brine so it is not in the ponds.
    Bimber said another change is moving the injection pumps and compressor closer to Seneca Lake.  He said the original proposal for the machinery was nearer to Route 14, next to the entrance to the U.S. Salt brine pond.  He said Inergy made this change in order to reduce noise.
    Inergy also agreed to do a Quantitative Risk Assessment (QRA), Bimber said.  During two public comment sessions, many people called on Inergy to do the assessments.  The Watkins Glen Fire Department also submitted a letter saying they feel their responders are capable of handling an emergency.  Bimber said other aspects of Inergy's proposal changes include: revising the their wetlands report and providing additional geological information, also based on community requests.
    The DEC is still reviewing the comments received at the hearings and submitted via mail.  Bimber said there is no time frame for completing the reviews, but a response summary will be released with the final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).  He explained the EIS will be completed when the DEC has all the information it needs from Inergy and makes a final permit decision.