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Planned Rockaway Pipeline to be reviewed at public hearings – Metro US

Planned Rockaway Pipeline to be reviewed at public hearings

Opponents of the Rockaway Pipeline produced this map depicted how it would be constructed. Credit: Coalition Against the Rockaway Pipeline Opponents of the Rockaway Pipeline produced this map depicted how it would be constructed.
Credit: Coalition Against the Rockaway Pipeline

Rockaway beachgoers may want to head out to the shore Tuesday night to find out about a potentially big change their beach.

The first of two Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Public Hearings over a proposed Rockaway gas pipeline will be taking place at the Knights of Columbus Rockaway Council 267 at 333 Beach 90th Street starting at 7 p.m.

The pipeline, to be built by Williams Transco and National Grid, is being hit with much of the same criticism as the Spectra Pipeline planned for lower Manhattan.

Both pipelines would bring shale gas — produced by fracking — to the city. Opponents are complaining that the review period has not been long enough and that environmental and safety concerns are not being adequately considered.

This pipeline would be embedded in the ocean floor, run under the sandy bank of Riis Park Beach, cross below the Rockaway Inlet and continue up Flatbush avenue to a Metering and Regulation facility. The facility would be built in two of the old abandoned airplane hangars at Floyd Bennet Field.

The second hearing will take place on Wednesday night, also at 7 p.m., at Aviator Sports and Events Center at 3159 Flatbush Avenue. FERC representatives will present their draft Environmental Impact Statement, also available online, and locals will be given the opportunity to ask questions and express concerns.

Follow Danielle Tcholakian on Twitter @danielleiat