Small model of renewable energy and resilient living
demonstrates the world we want to see while blocking fossil fuel project from
moving forward
Photo Credit: Erik McGregor
Peekskill, NY - Just four
days after 21 people were arrested for peacefully blockading the entrance to a
Spectra Algonquin Incremental Market (AIM) Pipeline work site, two people
courageously locked themselves into a renewable-energy powered, 20-ft recycled
shipping-container home at the work site, directly on the pipeline route. They
plan to stay inside the container blockade for as long as possible.
The AIM Pipeline is a 42-inch, high pressure,
fracked gas pipeline, which if completed will run through residential
communities and within 105 feet of critical Indian Point Nuclear Power Plant
safety facilities. The fully self-contained home is a strong symbol of both
resilience and resistance: It is intended to halt construction of the dangerous
AIM Pipeline and to represent the safe alternative living situation we need to
move towards to fight climate change and to halt our dependence on fossil fuel,
which drives the buildout of dangerous infrastructure like the AIM Pipeline.
The container home was built using reclaimed and recycled materials, is powered
by both photovoltaic solar panels and a bicycle generator, has a green roof
growing succulents and herbs, has a solar-heated shower and a compost toilet,
and comfortable living space and beds for two occupants. All of these measures
are important, but without stopping fossil fuel infrastructure, we are still on
a path to disaster - which is why this project is also designed to physically
stop construction on the AIM Pipeline.
The sustainable home has two occupants, both of
whom walked across the entire country to raise awareness about climate change
as part of the Great March for Climate: Jane Kendall
is a 65-year-old retired New York mother of two who would like to be spending
more time with her family, but feels morally obligated as an elder to do her
small part to stop Spectra and to fight for a renewable energy future; and Lee
Stewart, a 29-year-old organizer with Beyond Extreme Energy, who has been
working to stop FERC since they approved a fracked gas compressor station near
his home as part of project that would feed Dominion’s Cove Point LNG export
facility.
“I was inspired by the fierce, loving
determination in the voices of 13 Resist AIM members who disrupted a FERC
public meeting to call out the commissioners for their complicity in the
destruction Spectra represents,” said Lee Stewart. “It is an honor to take up
temporary residence in New York on the route of the AIM Pipeline.”
“Spectra has placed all of us on a destructive
path and in harm’s way. Today this simple small house, built from reused and
repurposed materials and powered by renewable energy, stands on the AIM
Pipeline path to halt construction.” Said Jane Kendall.
This action comes after years of residents and
grassroots groups actively engaging in the regulatory process, only to be
ignored by FERC. The City of Boston and several grassroots groups have filed a
lawsuit in Federal Court challenging FERC approval of the project. In February, Governor Andrew Cuomo wrote to FERC asking for an
immediate halt to construction while New
York State conducts an independent risk assessment of siting the massive,
high-pressure pipeline next to Indian Point Nuclear Power Plant. FERC denied
the Governor’s request, and claimed that a risk assessment by the Nuclear
Regulatory Commission (NRC) showed that the plant was safe. Just five days ago, on May 20th, Senators Charles Schumer and
Kirsten Gillibrand called for an immediate halt to construction. Spectra’s Director of Stakeholder Outreach, Marylee Hanley,
responded that “Algonquin Gas Transmission resumed construction on the
Algonquin Incremental Market (AIM) project in April and will continue with its
construction.”
“Now Spectra is rapidly proceeding with
construction in our area despite opposition from thousands of New Yorkers and
elected representatives.” Said Kendall. “We are at a critical stage in this
struggle, with project completion scheduled for November. Each day more trees
are cut, more blasting takes place, and more pipeline is laid. It is necessary
for us to stop this project now.”
There is no more time to wait. The Federal Energy
Regulatory Commission has shown that it will not protect us from the fossil
fuel industry that is destroying our climate. Instead, everyday people are
stepping up and modeling the future we want to see while taking a stand against
the dangerous pipeline that threatens us and our friends and neighbors.
“I am also taking this step because of the
amazing connection I feel to the amazing people all over the state who are not
only standing up to AIM, Spectra, and FERC, but who are also finding ways to
build community during a time when the power that be are bent on keeping us
isolated and narrowly focused.” Said Stewart.
Photo Credit: Erik McGregor
Link to video footage: http://youtu.be/CpcMaG5SN1M
Online: www.resistaim.com
On Facebook: www.facebook.com/resistaim
On Twitter: https://twitter.com/ResistAIM
#StopSpectra #ResistAIM #Blockadia
In defiance of pipeline construction, concerned individuals move reclaimed shipping container home with two people inside onto AIM Pipeline construction site. A small model of a renewable energy and resilient living space was placed on the construction way to block the fossil fuel project from moving forward. The two individuals were placed under arrest after being removed from the container. — in Peekskill, New York. Minister Erik R. McGregor
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