Earth Day forum on Tennessee Gas pipeline to feature Rep. Paul Mark, lawyer Richard Kanoff

By Mary Serreze | Special to The Republican
on April 17, 2015 at 10:30 AM

GREENFIELD — The proposed Kinder Morgan/Tennessee Gas pipeline will be the topic of an Earth Day informational forum at Greenfield Community College.

Rep. Paul Mark (D-Peru) and Boston-based attorney Richard Kanoff will join local activists Katy Eiseman and Jim Cutler for a panel discussion moderated by environmental science professor Brian Adams.

Mark represents the 2nd Berkshire District, which would be heavily impacted by the pipeline. Kanoff, an energy expert, has been representing pipeline opponents before various regulatory bodies. Eiseman, a leader of the anti-pipeline movement, holds a law degree from Georgetown University. Cutler is Ashfield’s town energy manager and co-founder of the environmental group Hilltown Community Rights.

The proposed Northeast Energy Direct pipeline would transport highly-pressurized natural gas from Pennsylvania to markets in the Northeast. The new line would cross through 16 rural towns in western Massachusetts before entering New Hampshire and heading east. The plan has met with stiff opposition from environmentalists, even as local gas companies have instituted moratoriums on new hookups, citing a supply bottleneck.

Gov. Charlie Baker has said New England needs more natural gas capacity, but his administration has not endorsed any one plan. The Tennessee Gas pipeline is not the only proposal on the table. Spectra Energy Partners plans to expand its existing Algonquin pipeline, which travels through central Connecticut and eastern Massachusetts.

As for the forum, GCC president Robert Pura said the college is pleased to convene community-based conversations on important topics. The event is sponsored by the college’s Green Campus Committee.

If you go:

What: Information is Power: The Tennessee Gas Pipeline and You
When: Tuesday, April 22, 7-9 p.m.
Where: Greenfield Community College, One College Drive