Treesit in Monkton, Vermont Erected Against Pipelines

From Rising Tide Vermont

For the second time in less than a month, on Monday, April 18th, opponents of Vermont Gas Systems’ fracked gas pipeline have taken to the trees to prevent pipeline construction in Addison County. An individual is sitting in a platform thirty feet high, effectively stopping crews from clearing the pipeline route.

Addie is prepared to stay in tree-sit for several days but needs people ther to protect safety. Call 6317421872 to help

— RisingTideVT (@RisingTideVT) April 19, 2016

“As we’ve said before, this pipeline ends with us. We don’t see the state’s decision to support this polluting, expensive pipeline as a legitimate decision, and will continue to get in the way of construction as much as possible,” Addie Herbert of Rising Tide Vermont.

Vermonters from across the state have attempted to stop the pipeline for years, through testifying at public hearings, writing letters, appealing to elected officials and intervening in the controversial Public Service Board process. Many feel they are left with no recourse but to directly intervene in construction.

“The Public Service Board showed their true colors recently, when they proposed barring the public from pipeline hearings,” said Jane Palmer, who’s farm is less than half a mile from the tree sit. “It’s no surprise that people are putting their bodies on the line when the state is putting corporations above democracy.”

Vermont Gas Systems sources its gas from the Western Canada Shale Basin, one of the largest deposits of oil and gas in the world. If built, this pipeline will become a major emitter of greenhouse gas emissions over the coming decades. Opponents see the project as a direct link to the carbon and methane time bomb that scientists have warned.

On Tuesday, April 19th, the tree-sit erected by Rising Tide Vermont in opposition to the Vermont Fracked Gas Pipeline is in its second day. Addie Herbert, a flower farmer and folk singer of Burlington, VT, is prepared to stay in the tree and continue to stop construction in the area.

Addison County law enforcement has set up camp beneath the elevated tree platform that supports the environmental activist. Police dogs were used to force the protestor’s direct support team out of the area leaving no one with technical knowledge of this apparatus to ensure the safety and wellbeing of the occupant. Addie has sufficient food, water and supplies to continue her tree-sit despite being cut-off from her group.

2nd aerial blockade of @VtGas
pipeline has successfully stopped construction!
Support here: https://t.co/96G4kegaB3 pic.twitter.com/bfUyAOh3Cy

— RisingTideVT (@RisingTideVT) April 18, 2016

Tags: oil pipelines