October 8, 2014
Dominion wants to expand natural gas pipeline capacity
Energy company Dominion wants to push more natural gas through the pipeline that crossed Dryden in the 1960s. The E. M. Borger station on Ellis Hollow Creek Road is the most visible (and sometimes loudest) local piece of the pipeline system.
In a NOTICE OF INTENT TO PREPARE AN ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT FOR THE PROPOSED NEW MARKET PROJECT, REQUEST FOR COMMENTS ON ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES, AND NOTICE OF PUBLIC SCOPING MEETING (586KB PDF), Dominion describes the project as:
Specifically, the New Market Project would consist of the following proposed facilities:
- construction of the new Horseheads CS in Chemung County;
- installation of gas coolers and filter/separator at the existing Borger CS in Tompkins County;
- construction of the new Sheds CS in Madison County;
- installation of gas coolers and filter/separator at the existing Utica CS in Herkimer County;
- installation of additional engine and turbine driven compressor units at the existing Brookman CS in Montgomery County; and
- modifications to the existing West Schenectady Meter Station in Schenectady County.
The Public Scoping Meeting is tonight at the Georgetown Town Hall at 7:30pm, and the scoping period is open through the 20th for written comment. The full docket is available online as well, including the original application.
These are more excerpts from the original application.
Specifically, as described more fully herein, DTI requests Commission authorization of the "New Market Project" (Project), pursuant to which DTI will provide 112,000 dekatherms per day (Dt/d) of firm transportation service....
DTI proposes to commence construction of the Project facilities in September 2015 in order to meet an in-service date for the contracted firm transportation service on or before November 1, 2016.
Natural gas produced from the Marcellus and Utica shales in the Appalachian region of West Virginia and Ohio is expected to continue its strong and rapid growth. DTI's natural gas pipeline system is uniquely positioned to transport Appalachian production, as its pipelines traverse the areas of significant supply growth. DTI is proposing the Project in response to customer requests for incremental pipeline capacity to increase supply diversity while meeting growing market demand for natural gas. The additional firm transportation capacity for the new gas supplies will also alleviate the possibility of shortages by providing more gas to market....
DTI executed precedent agreements with both Brooklyn Union and Niagara Mohawk (hereinafter, referred to as the "Customers") for firm transportation service totaling 112,000 Dt/d....
1. Horseheads Station: DTI proposes to construct a new compressor station with a new 11,010 horsepower (hp) gas turbine/compressor package and auxiliary equipment near Horseheads, Chemung Co., NY.
2. Sheds Station: DTI proposes to construct a new compressor station with a new 10,880 hp gas turbine/compressor package and auxiliary equipment in Madison Co., NY.
3. Brookman Corners Station: DTI proposes to install a new 6,393 hp gas turbine/compressor package, two 2,370 hp reciprocating compressors, and auxiliary equipment at its existing Brookman Corners Station in Montgomery Co., NY. The compression facilities will be housed in an addition to the existing compressor building within the fenced limits of the existing station site. DTI also proposes to construct a new M&R facility at this station.
4. Borger Station: DTI proposes to modify station piping at its existing Borger Station in Tompkins Co., NY.
5. Station Coolers: DTI proposes to install station coolers at its existing Brookman Corners Station in Montgomery Co., Borger Station in Tompkins Co., and Utica Station in Herkimer Co., NY.
6. West Schenectady Metering and Regulating (M&R) Facilities: DTI proposes to modify its existing West Schenectady M&R in Schenectady Co., NY.
7. Suction and Discharge Pipeline: Pipeline facilities required for this Project are limited to approximately 1,425 feet of new 42-inch diameter suction and discharge pipelines at Horseheads Station.
...the estimated total cost for DTI's construction of the Project is $158,960,570.
NY Friends of Clean Air and Water has a reference page on the proposal as well.
October 10, 2014
Snakes, Pancakes, and Demolition at Varna
The next two weeks at the Varna Community Center, 943 Dryden Road, will be pretty exciting:
On Saturday, October 11th, from 2:00pm to 5:00pm, the Cornell Herpetological Society will be showing and discussing reptiles and amphibians. My kids loved this last year!
On Sunday, October 12th, from 8:00am to noon, we'll be serving our Pancake (and French Toast and Waffle) Breakfast. We also have bacon, sausage, potatoes, scrambled eggs, fruit, cake, orange juice, and of course coffee. It's $7.50 for adults, $7 for seniors, and $5 for kids 5-12.
On Saturday, October 25th, we'll be tearing down the old playground behind the Community Center to get ready to install a new one next year:
Varna 's Playground: Down With the Old, Up With the New
Varna residents and friends will gather on Saturday October 25 at 9am to take down the existing play structures behind the Varna Community Center, 943 Dryden Rd. (NYS Rte. 366). Although kids have spent many happy hours on the old equipment, safety concerns mean it is time to take it down.
Next spring, volunteers will come together again to put up new, safe play equipment that will satisfy all the climbing, swinging, balancing and exploring desires of Varna's youngsters and their friends.
United Way of Tompkins County, Jim Ray Homes, and The Strebel Planning Group have contributed major gifts toward the project. Individual donations have also been received, but we are still $8000 short of the amount needed to purchase new equipment and establish a fund for ongoing maintenance. Tax-deductible donations in any amount will be much appreciated. Send to:
Varna Community Association
P.O. Box 4771
Ithaca NY 14852-4771Please put "playground" on the memo line of your check. Volunteers to help take down the existing playground are also needed. Many hands will make the work go fast, so consider joining this worthy effort on October 25th. Children are welcome, but must be under a parent's supervision at all times. Snacks will be available for volunteers. Have questions? Contact: Sue Heath (607-272-8919).
October 31, 2014
Death, Hell, or Canada - rides again November 8th
I'll be giving an expanded version of my talk on the Battle of Queenston Heights at the History Center in downtown Ithaca, on Saturday, November 8th from 3:00pm to 5:00pm.
Death, Hell, Or Canada: Dryden and the War of 1812.
This time around, I have more information about soldiers from elsewhere in Tompkins County, notably Lansing and Trumansburg, thanks to Carol Kammen and a few town historians. I have more about the comparisons between the armies, and I'll be including more about the Canadian perspective on the battle.
I started from this chapter in George Goodrich's Centennial History of Dryden, which made clear that Dryden militia had fought at the Battle of Queenston Heights, and been killed (one), injured (at least one), or captured (everyone who crossed).
I'll talk about the many ways in which war was different then, and focus on the challenges of a largely militia attack across the Niagara River.
Redcoats firing a musket volley.
Somehow, most Americans have forgotten about the War of 1812. Canadians seem to have put a lot more effort into remembering.
Cenotaph and monument for the fallen General Brock.
I've also posted sets of photos I took while doing research for this:
Obviously, I won't be showing all of those pictures!