Concerns Raised About Proposed Fenton Gas Facility

Some Port Dickinson residents and officials are fighting plans to develop a natural gas transfer operation in the Town of Fenton.

Village Mayor Kevin Burke said there are many concerns regarding the proposed facility that would be located off West Service Road, just north of Port Dickinson Community Park.

NG Advantage of Vermont is seeking approval for the project on a site next to Interstate 88.

Burke said nine compressor stations would be built on the Chenango River bank. Natural gas would be pumped from a 36-inch high pressure pipeline. The gas would be transferred to tanker trucks for transport to Oneonta.

Speaking on WNBF Radio's Binghamton Now program, the mayor said the location is "very poor." He said projections call for 50 trucks to come and go from the site during the summer and as many as 100 trucks during colder-weather months.

Burke said traffic and safety issues are among the prime concerns of residents and officials with the Chenango Valley School District.

After reviewing the plans, the Broome County Department of Planning and Economic Development has recommended denial of the project as submitted.

The Town of Fenton Zoning Board of Appeals is scheduled to meet at 6 p.m. Tuesday to consider a variance needed for the facility. The town's planning board is to meet at 7 p.m. to vote on allowing the project to go forward.

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