Constitution Pipeline Investigation Requested

In a news release on the Attorney General's website, Schneiderman says evidence collected since early March alleges widespread tree clear-cutting and other construction activity along the company's pipeline right-of-way corridor in New York although the state had not granted necessary permits for the project.

Schneiderman said, "My office has found compelling evidence that Constitution not only ignored widespread, unpermitted construction .. but even authorized, encouraged or condoned it."

The Attorney General petitioned the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Friday to investigate the company's action, take appropriate enforcement and stay its December 2014 order conditionally approving the pipeline.

In March, the AG's office was informed by landowners of clear-cutting of trees and brush, use of heavy equipment and road building in or near state protected streams and wetlands in Broome, Delaware and Schoharie Counties.

The Constitution Pipeline is a proposed 125 mile natural gas transmission system running from Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania through Broome, Chenango, Delaware and Schoharie Counties in New York.