Write to FERC

Submitting Your Letter Online

https://ferconline.ferc.gov/QuickComment.aspx

1. Click on the link above and enter your name, address, phone and authorize e-comment characters. Then you will receive a link in an email.  It can take a minute or two to receive the email.
2. Click on link or copy to your browser address.
3. Enter the docket number for this project which is PF10-17.  This part is slightly confusing because you have to search for the docket and then "select" it.  If you've done this successfully, your form should look like the image to the right.  (Click on image to enlarge.)
4. Make your comments and copy them for your own reference before hitting Submit as there are reports of a fatal error occuring and the comment being lost.  If this happens, click on "back" search and select the docket, paste your comment and then click on submit.  If the problem persist, please report error to 866-208-3676 or ferconlinesupport@ferc.gov.
5. You should receive an email confirming that your comment was received.  If not, you should re-submit.  You have to start at step #1 above.

Submitting Your Letter Through the Mail

You will need to submit three copies of your letter.  One of the letters should be to the attention of "OEP, Gas Branch 3 PJ-11.3."  All three can be included in the same envelope and posted to:

Kimberly D. Bose
Secretary
FERC
888 First St. NE, Room 1A
Washington, DC 20426

Sample Letter

August 20, 2010

FERC
888 First St. NE, Room 1A
Washington, DC 20426

Project Docket Number:  PF10-17

Dear FERC,

Houston, Texas-based Spectra Energy wants to build a major natural gas pipeline expansion to New York City that will run through the heart of Jersey City. Jersey City will bear tremendous risks with no reward, all for the benefit of New York City and Spectra.

I object to the proposed Spectra Natural Gas Pipeline planned routing through Jersey City for the following:

- According to the Wall Street Journal, there were 47 pipeline incidents in the U.S. in 2009 that caused death or serious injury. In just three incidents alone this year, 10 people have been killed and 33 seriously injured.  Consider the casualty count with our population density.

- Toxins released into the air from the metering station and block valves release air-borne carcinogens endangering the health of all residents in Jersey City irrespective of where you live.

- The proposed pipeline is to be built through some of Jersey City's most densely populated and historic neighborhoods. An explosion here would be far more deadly than elsewhere in the state. We share the same density per square mile as San Francisco, over 16k+, according to 2000 census

- The pipeline would be a prime target for terrorists.

- The Jersey City Medical Center is the regional response hospital for 911 calls.  Given the hospital's location of being with 1300 feet of the pipeline, a pipeline blast near to the hospital would inhibit 911 response times for the community.

- The planned expansion will pass through or nearby a number of heavy industrial and chemical plants and in close proximity to Homeland Security Department designated Tier 1 & Tier 2 Critical Infrastructure. An explosion near any of these facilities could be catastrophic.

- The city's economic engine, Wall Street back offices along the waterfront and major infrastructure such as the Holland Tunnel and the NJ Turnpike Extension could be severely affected by an incident.

- Property values will decrease with the presence of a pipeline which means less growth for your property investment and less property tax revenue for the government resulting in fewer city services and/or lead to a property tax rate increase to cover city operations.

- Growth will slow or cease on the north side of Newport as undeveloped land will remain dormant and will not reach it's tax revenue potential due to developer's anathema to pipeline.  This area will be growing from an abandoned industrial wasteland to a new neighborhood of 5,000 to 10,000 units over the next 20 years.  See the detailed maps for information:  http://nogaspipeline.org/the-pipeline#detailed-maps

- Use of eminent domain will limit property owners and city government from exercising their rights as land owners and administrators to benefit the residents of Jersey City.

- The effects on the local air quality and noise environment from construction operation of the proposed facilities as well as potential impacts of multiple large projects on-going during the same construction time frame. Also the effects on transportation and traffic as well as potential effects on historic districts, properties and the contamination of soils and sediments that will be disturbed along the path of the pipeline construction further detract from this project as proposed.

We urge Spectra and FERC to build this pipeline to connect from the Staten Island metering station direct to NYC and NY State through the Hudson River since it is for their benefit. Jersey City and Bayonne can not afford to have its residents and property be subject to potential damages cited above and in historical cases with precedent previously on file at FERC.

Sincerely,

Your Name
Address
City, State
Phone
Email Address