STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — An imposing sign and exposed pipeline off Arthur Kill Road may cause passersby to hesitate, but the danger has passed.
Near Arthur Kill Road and Johnson Street, old orange and black signage reads: “Warning Liquid Petroleum Pipe Line Do Not Anchor Or Dredge.”
The pipeline, owned by Georgia’s Colonial Pipeline Company, was recently spotted by a citizen who traversed near the water’s edge.
Surrounded by rocks, forgotten tires, and clusters of birds, the pipeline can be seen extending into the water, partially coated in what appears to be moss or algae.
Off Arthur Kill Road in the South Shore, an exposed pipeline was discovered by a citizen.Courtesy of tipster
The Advance/SILive.com reached out to the Colonial Pipeline Company to learn the pipeline’s status.
The pipeline no longer transports petroleum products and “is filled with inert, low-pressure nitrogen,” a Colonial Pipeline Company spokesperson said.
“We are aware that a small portion of pipe is exposed during low tide and we continue to monitor its safe condition,” the spokesperson added.
This pipeline is not to be confused with the Northeast Supply Enhancement Pipeline owned by Williams and Transco, which will run along a 17.4-mile underwater stretch through the Raritan and Lower New York bays, passing Staten Island’s shores.
That pipeline will ferry gas across state lines to improve gas reserves for parts of New York City and Long Island.
The gas itself will not be given to Staten Islanders, though National Grid will bump gas bills 3.5% for the borough to help pay for the pipeline.
This, however, doesn’t deter National Grid from their stance that the pipeline will help Staten Islanders in the long run.
Currently gas is being shared across Brooklyn, Queens and Staten Island, a National Grid spokesperson said.
The spokesperson also emphasized the possibility for $2.5 billion in energy savings for New York’s downstate residents, like Staten Islanders, over the next 15 years.