Pittsfield Council Postpones Vote on Gas Pipeline
|
The City Council opted to delay casting a vote on whether or not they support the Tennessee Gas Pipeline project. |
The controversial Tennessee Gas Pipeline project looks to build out a new pipeline to carry natural gas from New York state, through the Berkshires and most of Massachusetts, and up to Maine. Nearly five months ago Berkshire towns began to publicly oppose the project.
On Tuesday, the City Council was asked to follow suit, but they instead delayed taking a vote on whether or not to oppose the project.
The delay came after Berkshire Chamber of Commerce President Jonathan Butler implored the council to do so until more information can be gathered from the business community.
“This project does have a significant implications and will have a major impact on Berkshire County,” Butler said.
Following fierce opposition expressed by a majority of Pittsfield residents heard from at a public hearing in July, a five person subcommittee of councilors had already recommended that the council vote against the proposed project.
“My concern is how long is it going to take for the business community to make a decision, and where have they been?” said Ward 6 Councilor John Krol.
The council continued to hear a mix of input on the pipeline from interested parties at the start of Tuesday's meeting.
Mayor Daniel Bianchi, thus far the only elected official in the county to voice support for the pipeline, also asked the council to table its vote until after a planned meeting of some local businesses to be held by 1Berkshire in the near future. Bianchi said he anticipates they will hear from local companies that “a desperate demand” exists for lower energy costs.
"Right now our biggest employers... are at a competitive advantage,” Bianchi told the council. “I think we really need to have a comprehensive discussion.”
Resident Terry Kinnas agreed saying, "if you don't get your energy costs down, you don't have to worry about economic development."
Opponents of the pipeline have maintained that the proposed pipeline will not reduce costs in the region, and that these problems would be better addressed by investing in alternative energy sources and conservation than the general public paying for a project they say will only benefit the gas company's profit margin.
“I find it hard to believe that the mayor really believes that building a huge new gas pipeline through some of Massachusetts most beautiful protected areas will really lower natural gas prices,” said Berkshire Environmental Action Team executive Jane Winn, who noted that Kinder Morgan has already begun negotiations to supply fracked natural gas from this pipeline to foreign clients.
Resident Jeffrey Turner said climate change is a crucial issue which can not longer be overlooked when discussing such projects.
“We can invest in sustainable energy that will bring down prices and at the same time prepare the world for a future that is not too hot for civilization to readily survive,” said Turner.
The council ultimately voted unanimously to table a vote until the anticipated feedback from local businesses has been brought forward.
Councilor At Large Kathleen Amuso said giving the businesses a few more weeks "would be beneficial."
“I would like to give them four to six weeks,” Councilor At Large Barry Clairmont said. “If they don't show up by the end of November, then we take it off the table."
Vice President Christopher Connell, however reminded his colleagues that the issue is time sensitive and can't remain on hold much longer.
