A widespread grassroots and local government campaign is underway across Albany, Rensselaer, Greene, Ulster, Orange, and Rockland counties to block proposed construction of the “Pilgrim Pipelines”—twin oil pipelines between the Port of Albany, NY, a refinery in Linden, New Jersey that would carry fracked and highly volatile Bakken crude oil and petroleum products refined from this crude between Albany, NY, and Linden, NJ. The construction of the first crude oil pipeline in New York since the days of Standard Oil in the 19th century would set a dangerous precedent for expanding permanent infrastructure for this dirty, climate-polluting fossil fuel at a time when New York is seeking to lead the shift to a renewable energy system.
In New York, more than 30 local governments across party lines have passed resolutions of opposition to the project, joined by over 40 local governments opposing the project in NJ. The State Environmental Review of this project is underway, and active public and local government participation will be critical.