RESOLUTION TO DIVERT HAZARDOUS TRUCKS CARRYING HIGH VOLUME COMPRESSED NATURAL GAS TO INTERSTATE HIGHWAYS

1. Whereas, since January 2017 a new business has developed to transport high volumes of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) via tractor trailer on public roads;

2. Whereas, XNG is a company operating a tractor trailer “pipeline” transporting large quantities of CNG via tractor trailer from Pennsylvania through Otsego County for injection into the Iroquois pipeline in the Town of Manheim, Herkimer County, using two-lane undivided roads frequented by residents, school buses, local delivery vehicles, farm vehicles and tourists.

3. Whereas, since the start of operations in January 2017, there have been four known incidents involving XNG tractor trailers in Otsego County which required Emergency Response, including two rollovers (one requiring evacuation of the area);

4. Whereas, CNG tractor trailers because of their cargo pose a serious risk of explosion should the gas be released near an ignition source;

5. Whereas, XNG did not notify Otsego Towns of its proposed plans to transit Otsego County and did not disclose its plans in a SEQRA review conducted by the Town of Manheim before its operations began, thereby denying affected Otsego County villages and towns the opportunity to review these plans, provide comment, or request mitigation;

6. Whereas, the XNG tractor trailers operate 24/7 through the County, creating significant noise and hazards, thereby causing sleep disruption, anxiety, and risk to those living and traveling in the villages, hamlets and towns along the route;

7. Whereas, XNG states that 80 tractor trailers per day currently make round trips on Otsego roads for a total of 160 tractor trailers per day, with the probability of an increase over time;

8. Whereas, there is grave concern, based on the incident record in Otsego County alone, that a serious accident involving XNG tractor trailers will occur, causing serious injury, property damage, or death to Otsego County residents and visitors;

9. Whereas, our communities are served by outstanding, largely volunteer emergency responders, who are hard pressed to respond to these incidents while remaining available to serve ordinary residents’ emergencies;

10. WHEREAS, there is an alternative route that XNG trucks can take via Interstate 88 to Interstate 81 to the NY-Thruway/I-90 which would easily avoid undivided rural roads;

11. Whereas, XNG has already stated publicly that it would use the Interstate when conditions are icy or dangerous;

NOW THEREFORE: To avoid the serious risk of harm and loss to Otsego County citizens and visitors, we call upon XNG to immediately divert its CNG tractor trailers which are en route to Manheim to interstate highways. FURTHER, we call upon our New York governor, state agencies and legislators to act to resolve this significant safety issue for New Yorkers.

DATED:

ADOPTED:

NY Attorney General’s office contact: Jeremy Magliaro Email: [email protected]