Bainbridge Residents Weigh In On Natural Gas Pipeline | WBNG-TV: News, Sports and Weather Binghamton, New York | Local
June 16, 2011
Bainbridge Residents Weigh In On Natural Gas Pipeline
By Jenna Hanchard
June 14, 2011 Updated Jun 14, 2011 at 11:05 PM EDT
Bainbridge, NY (WBNG Binghamton) More than 100 people crowd into the Bainbrige Town hall to weigh in on a proposed natural gas pipeline.
The Leatherstocking Gas Company wants to build a pipeline that would run through Sidney, Coventry and Bainbridge.
The company is based in Sidney and wants to obtain public utility status.
The Village of Sidney has already signed off on the plan, but it has yet to go to a vote in Coventry or in Bainbridge.
Many who spoke up in support of the pipeline say the plan would create jobs and economic opportunities for the area.
Those against the plan fear the possibility of the company using eminent domain to build the lines and that constructing this pipeline will pressure lawmakers to give hydrofracking the go ahead.
“I’d like to see natural gas available as a competition to the oil. Oil is driving us out of our home. My heating bill next year is probably going to be like five thousand dollars, ” says Jay Campbell.
“Its problematic because its an underhanded attempt to invest millions of dollars and then say to our state assembly and state senate ‘we’ve put this in we’ve made this investment, you have to okay fracking,” says Patrick McElligott.
Both the town and the company reiterate that Leatherstocking does not have the right to use land belonging to residents for this project.
The town of Bainbridge will revisit the company’s plan at its next meeting to determine how it will move forward.
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