FERC (the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission) grants permits for interstate pipelines and compressor stations. These projects can impact communities which are predominantly low-income, rural, and/or communities of color, yet FERC has been glaringly disinterested in considering environmental justice factors as part of its decision-making process.

FERC’s inaction related to environmental justice is sometimes attributed to the fact that FERC was designed to be an independent commission, and is under no FERC-specific mandate to consider environmental justice principals in its decision-making. Yet FERC is still a part of the federal government, which requires each agency to comply with Section VI of the Civil Rights Act and Executive Order Executive Order 12898, Federal Actions to Address Environmental Justice in Minority Populations and Low-Income Populations.

FERC’s parent organization is the Department of Energy, which has a detailed strategy for incorporating principals of environmental justice into its actions and departmental operations.23 Part of this strategy is to “Identify and address programs, policies, and activities of the Department that may have disproportionately high and adverse human health or environmental effects on minority, low-income, and tribal populations.”

Even though DOE does not have direct authority over FERC, it is still striking that FERC would be so isolated from this goal of its parent agency, and not held accountable to Section VI of the Civil Rights Act.

https://frackfreenc.org/wp-content/uploads/Dangerous-Neighbors-Final-6-8-2016.pdf

Lanning Taliaferro, PATCH, Dec 10, 2017

BREWSTER, NY — Scientists from the Environmental Health Project discussed their recently released report on chemical and particulate emissions of natural gas compressor stations in New York State, including those in Southeast and Stony Point, at a public forum Monday. EHP is a non-profit organization of public health professionals.

Dr. David Brown, Dr. Celia Lewis and Dr. Sujit Joginpally, who were the speakers, are the principal medical and public health scientists at EHP.

The Southeast compressor station is a major source of hazardous air pollutants, emitting hundreds of tons of toxic chemical compounds every year, EHP officials allege. It is located on Tulip Road, just off Dingle Ridge in the town of Southeast.

EHP researchers said their report documented how the health of residents who live near compressor stations, natural gas pipelines, metering stations and natural gas power plants can be affected.

The speakers at Monday’s forum offered practical advice for residents who wish to reduce exposure; critical precautionary measures for public officials and first responders; and information for medical practitioners who may see an increase in certain medical conditions in their patients.

This event was free and open to the public.

WHEN: Monday, December 11, 2017, 7 PM – 9 PM

WHERE: North Salem Middle/High School Auditorium, 230 June Road, North Salem, New York

WHO: Dr. David Brown, Dr. Celia Lewis and Dr. Sujit Joginpally, Southwest Pennsylvania Environmental Health Project, McMurray, Penna.

SOURCE: https://patch.com/new-york/southeast/compressor-station-health-report-public-forum-monday