Rising Tide Vermont, a group that opposes Vermont Gas’ pipeline extension proposal through Addison County, plan to hold a news conference Friday in Monkton to address what they say are false charges.
The direct-action environmental group last week blockaded Vermont Gas’ South Burlington headquarters and dropped a 300-square-foot, anti-gas banner from the company’s roof. Vermont Gas officials say a company employee was injured during the event after being pushed by protesters.
The South Burlington Police Department is trying to identify two protesters from Rising Tide Vermont and 350.org, another environmental action group that joined last week’s protest. The detective on the case was not available for comment Thursday. One protester was arrested for locking herself to the building’s entrance.
Vermont Gas said in a statement it no longer trusts the protesters to express their views responsibly, safely and peacefully.
“We don’t have a problem with people expressing their opinions and concerns, but last week protesters went too far when they assaulted and injured an employee and endangered themselves and others by climbing on the roof,” said Stephen Wark, a spokesman for Vermont Gas.
The company plans to begin construction of its 41-mile pipeline extensions through Addison Country this month. The company is waiting for collateral permits from Agency of Natural Resources and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers before it begins construction.
Rising Tide is protesting the pipeline because Vermont Gas sources some of its natural gas from the process of fracking. The group says fracked natural gas emits more greenhouse gases than coal.
Rising Tide’s news conference will be held at Laughing Tree Farm in Monkton at 10 a.m. to respond to the company’s assault allegations and “draw attention to the revolving door between the Burlington-area police force, Vermont regulatory agencies, and Vermont Gas/Gaz Metro,” the group said in a statement.
