HUDSON — The Hudson Common Council passed a resolution urging Gov. Kathy Hochul to deny the expansion of the Iroquois natural gas pipeline in Athens.
The resolution, drafted by Food and Water Watch, was passed unanimously at the Common Council’s Dec. 19 meeting.
“This resolution represents that municipalities as a whole do not support this expansion,” said Emily Skydel, the Hudson Valley organizer for Food and Water Watch, a non-governmental group that advocates for safe food, clean water and a livable climate.
According to the resolution, the proposed expansion of the pipeline will escalate the environmental and health risks in the Hudson Valley.
“There’s a real concern that pollution from the proposed project could hurt local communities in Hudson,” Skydel said.
The resolution also states the expansion is in direct conflict with the goals outlined in New York state’s Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act.
The Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act was signed into law in 2019 by then-Gov. Andrew Cuomo.
The law outlines measures to reduce statewide emissions 85% by 2050 and achieve net-zero emissions in all economic sectors.
Common Council President Thomas DiPietro said environmental issues have an effect on the city.
“Any environmental issue will either directly or indirectly affect Hudson,” he said. “We’re a part of a larger ecology.”
According to a brochure from Iroquois, the expansion of the pipeline will allow an additional 125 million cubic feet of natural gas to pass through the pipeline per day.
Changes to the Athens station will include the addition of 12,000 horsepower of compression and gas cooling, and the proposed in-service date of the project is November 2025.
In December, activists and elected officials from Columbia and Greene counties gathered in Athens to deliver a letter to Hochul demanding she deny the proposed expansion.
The letter was signed by more than 60 elected officials, including state Sen. Michelle Hinchey, D-41, and state Assemblymember Didi Barrett (D-106).