ALBANY, N.Y. — The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has denied an application for an underground liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) storage facility near the shores of Seneca Lake.
DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos issued the decision Thursday on the grounds that, “the facility would have a significant adverse impact on community character in the local area and the Finger Lakes region,” according to a release.
Plans from Finger Lakes LPG Storage called for storing millions of gallons of liquefied petroleum gas in salt caverns in the Town of Reading, near Watkins Glen. Opposition to the plan was widespread in the area with opponents claiming the development threatened public safety, the environment, and the area’s growing wine industry.
“The Commissioner determined that the record supported denying the project at this stage of the administrative process and noted four issues that raised significant concerns that would have otherwise required further adjudication — the proposed facility brine pond, integrity of caverns at the site, public safety preparedness, and availability of alternative sites, including the proposed volume of storage capacity, as well as the need for the facility,” the release said.
According to the DEC, no further action is required following the denial.
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Photo of Seneca Lake by Adam Rombel/ BJNN