The 16-month battle against the Minisink Compressor project in Orange County, NY, has been ramping up dramatically over the last week, and it appears to be far from over.
Despite the fact that a rehearing is pending, and further litigation is imminent, Millennium Pipeline began construction of the highly contentious natural gas facility on Oct.1. For five consecutive days, Minisink residents have managed to seriously delay construction activities by physically blocking the entrance to the site of the proposed compressor station. Two residents were arrested for disorderly conduct—a father of two young children on Monday and a local farmer on Tuesday.
In a strikingly unusual turn of events, the D.C. branch of the U.S. Court of Appeals issued a temporary stay of the project late Friday afternoon. Millennium has until Oct.9 to respond. Minisink residents will be given an additional business day to counter-respond.
On Oct. 6, residents of Minisink, NY marched for justice in efforts to halt construction activities of the proposed Minisink Compressor Station, in the hamlet of Westtown, NY. Approximately 200 people marched in the rain, with the cooperation of local authorities, from the site of the proposed compressor to the center of Westtown and back. Minisink residents, who adamantly stress their fight is an American issue, not a partisan issue, were heartened by the presence of supporters from all over the Northeast region.