To the Editor:
The Madison County Neighbors for Environmental Preservation extend our deepest gratitude to the Madison County Department of Health and Board of Supervisors for hearing our concerns and taking action.
We recognize and appreciate the work done by Thimble Creek Research and the Madison County Gas Compressor Station Work Group led by Eric Faisst, MPH, Madison County Director of Public Health. The study submitted to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission by the Madison County Health Department Oct. 15 (posted Oct. 16) validates and offers an in-depth summary of concerns about negative health impacts associated with natural gas compressor stations expressed by a number of individuals living in the towns of Georgetown and DeRuyter.
It also includes health concerns submitted to the Work Group and MCNEP following two informational meetings held in August.
We applaud Madison County supervisors and Eric Faisst for taking seriously their responsibility to protect the people they serve. Further action is now needed. Comments must be submitted to FERC immediately. The issues addressed in Thimble Creek’s research cannot be ignored. A copy of this report can be found on the Madison County and town of DeRuyter websites.
More information including the report, videos of the Aug. 12 informational meeting and a portion of the Oct. 8 FERC meeting held in Georgetown can be found on MCNEP’s Facebook page.
For more information and instructions on how to file comments with FERC, email madcopreservation@aol.com.
Liz Haskins