Keene Gas Plant: What's the fuss?

The proposed gas plant in Keene may appear to be a solution to a local problem - gas leaks in the current, outdated system. In fact, it is part of a statewide, regional effort to make us gas depend, locking us into a fossil free future.

If the temporary Keene gas plant is approved, Liberty Utilities will pursue a permanent gas plant. That will then expand and be part of a plan that creates a need for gas where there wasn't any.

In May of 2016, Kinder Morgan withdrew the Northeast Energy Direct (NED) pipeline that intended to use NH as a carbon corridor from the fracking fields of PA, to export to Canada and then to Europe. The pipeline was withdrawn due to a lack of contracts. How to resolve that? Go from town to town, city to city and offer a 10% discount on the gas to unsuspecting citizens, then jack up the rates on their other customers to cover it. Now you have gas customers and the need for a pipeline.

Kinder Morgan was looking for a location for a gas plant. Gas plant emissions are unseen and have no smell, but are highly toxic and a health hazard. The emissions are visible using a FLIR camera. Videos of compressor and gas plant emissions are available on the Pipeline Education page of this site and on YouTube. Also search the "List of the Harmed".

The two sites considered were Hinsdale, NH and Vernon, VT. Vernon was the first choice because so many residents lost their jobs when the leaking Vermont Yankee nuclear power plant was closed. When it was proposed, the town was in support. Keene could easily be an alternate site for a gas plant. Once these plants are sited, it is nearly impossible to stop their expansion.