Underground Gas Storage? Finger Lakes Business Owners Say No

By Zack Seward

Rochester, NY – A group of Finger Lakes business owners is rallying opposition to a proposed energy project near the south end of Seneca Lake. As the WXXI Innovation Trail's Zack Seward reports, the project calls for storing liquefied petroleum gas in underground salt caverns.

As part of the group known as Gas Free Seneca, Lou Damiani has been circulating petitions against the proposed storage facility.

The co-owner of Damiani Wine Cellars says current plans for using old salt mines as a Northeastern hub for gas storage and transportation are a bad idea.

"Any economic benefit that is offered by this pales in comparison to what the economic benefit off of tourism and wineries [will be]," said Damiani.

The project is the work of a Kansas City-based company called Inergy. The company is currently seeking regulatory permission to build the underground facility a few miles north of Watkins Glen.

The project would put more than two million barrels of liquid propane into the massive underground salt caverns.

It would also require the creation of a massive brine pond.

Damiani hosted an information session on Tuesday that drew about 125 people. Gas Free Seneca also hosted another public meeting on Wednesday night.