A construction workforce of nearly 1,680, many of them union workers from New York, would build the project for the Amherst company.

“The folks that are developing this are living in the exact same communities we’re talking about building this in,” Kraemer said. “These are the projects that drive the growth of a Western New York company.”

A pipeline through well country

Opponents say Western New York residents in rural areas who don’t even have access to natural gas and use propane instead would bear an unfair burden for National Fuel’s profit.

“I’m all about business and investment, but not when we have to do it at the expense of people’s health and the environment,” said Gary Gilman of the Pendleton Action Team, an organization aiming to stymie the project.

Strablow also cited the potential for accident or explosion, especially since much of the pipeline follows a right of way below high voltage electric lines. He fears adverse affects to humans and wildlife from chemical emissions and disruptions to nearly 200 waterways in the pipeline’s path.

“The whole thing is a mess in my view,” Strablow said. “We don’t need this gas. It’s all going for export.”