Pittsfield Council Opposes Pipeline Project
 The City Council on Wednesday night voted its opposition to the proposed natural gas pipeline that will cut through the Berkshires. |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — By an 8-1 vote, the City Council joined local governments in 38 communities in voicing opposition to Kinder Morgan's proposed Northeast Energy Direct Project.
While proponents of the fracked natural gas pipeline say its development is crucial to meeting energy needs and reducing consumer costs in the region, opponents claim utility customers will shoulder the burden of a project that will not directly benefit them and will have an adverse environmental impact.
Berkshire Environmental Action Team's Jane Winn implored the council on Tuesday night to "help protect the 'beautiful Berkshires' brand," pointing out that scenic beauty is one of the primary drivers of the multibillion-dollar tourism industry in the region.
"If we want to young people to come here to the Berkshires and stay and raise their families, we need to turn toward the future," said Winn, one of 10 county residents who spoke against the pipeline project during a public input period.
While a five-member subcommittee of the council endorsed BEAT's petition to oppose the project in July, the council had again postponed a vote last month following requests from the leadership of 1Berkshire and the Chamber of Commerce asking for more time to survey local business opinion.
"It's been over a month, and we have not heard anything," said Council Vice President Christopher Connell, who said that in light of Kinder Morgan's filing of its proposed route with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission last week, it was time to untable the issue.
"I haven't heard a strong sense that the business community wants this pipeline," agreed Councilor Kevin Morandi.
"The environmental aspects of it are truly detrimental," said Councilor Nicholas Caccamo, and noted the pipeline's proposed proximity to the Cleveland Reservoir. "Most importantly, the [proposed] lines are far too close to a significant source of drinking water for Pittsfield and the county."
"Besides the environmental issues I can see, I think this pipeline is too large for our needs," added Councilor Lisa Tully.
At-Large Councilor Churchill Cotton disagreed, casting the lone dissenting vote out of nine councilors. Councilor Barry Clairmont was absent, and Councilor Jonathan Lothrop abstained from the vote, because he is a member of the Conservation Commission, which will need to vote on the eventual finalized proposal from Kinder Morgan
"Personally, I'm not convinced that the suggested risks are greater than the potential benefit," said Cotton. "I can't see any down side to having excess energy available to this community."
"All of the dangers I've heard are estimated," added Cotton. "I know all of the benefits are also estimated, but I'm just not ready at this time to oppose it."
"It's the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission that's going to ultimately lay down the final solution," Caccamo said. "How much does our weight and the rest of the county's weight carry? I don't know, but it sends a good symbolic message that we're taking a stance here."
Tags: city council, gas pipeline,
