News

July 27, 2017

New Yorkers for Affordable Energy Issues Support for the Eastern System Upgrade, Other Projects

The New Yorkers for Affordable Energy coalition today issued a formal declaration of support for several energy projects, including Millennium Pipeline’s Eastern System Upgrade, which is the subject of a public hearing this evening in Monticello. Individuals who would like to add their name to the growing list of project supporters may do so here: http://www.millenniumpipeline.com/eastern-system-upgrade/.

Millennium Pipeline Eastern System Upgrade project details

Millennium operates a 244-mile natural gas pipeline system in New York State, stretching from Allegany County to Rockland County. The Eastern System Upgrade Project includes 7.8 miles of pipeline looping in Orange County, expansion of an existing compressor facility and an additional compressor facility that will allow for the transportation of low-cost natural gas to regional markets in New York and across the Northeast to meet increased demand.

The project will create approximately 300 long-term, good-paying union construction jobs and generate $300 million in new economic activity in the region. Once completed, New York residents and businesses can expect to save $49.5 million per year in energy costs.

Other projects receiving the coalition’s support include:

  • Cayuga Solar
  • Constitution Pipeline
  • Crestwood Storage
  • Dominion New Market Project
  • Enbridge Spectra Atlantic Bridge
  • Northern Access
  • Spectra AIM
  • Valley Lateral

“The Eastern System Upgrade, and the other projects listed here, are in various stages of the permitting and legal process,” said Heather C. Briccetti, Esq., president and CEO of The Business Council of New York State, Inc. “Each one, if able to move forward, would help provide New York families and businesses with clean, affordable sources of energy and spur job growth and economic development.”

“Publicly supporting projects like these is the exact reason why we joined with The Business Council in creating this coalition,” said James Cahill, President of the NYS Building & Construction Trades Council. “New York needs its leaders to support these projects, and others like it, if we are going to meet the lofty job creation and energy goals necessary to remain competitive in the global economy. These projects will provide my members with thousands of good-paying jobs and give communities the infrastructure they need to thrive.

New Yorkers for Affordable was created in May of 2017 to support the development of cleaner, more reliable and more affordable sources of energy for residential and business consumers. New Yorkers for Affordable Energy supports increasing access to natural gas for manufacturing facilities, power production, transportation, and other purposes to support New York’s economy and quality of life.

We are made up of a diverse coalition of advocacy organizations, business groups, local unions and chambers of commerce.