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Spectra Energy officials confirmed protesters had breached the pipeline area on Monday, said company spokeswoman Marylee Hanley.
"Algonquin Gas Transmission respects the right of individuals to peacefully protest and express their positions. We encourage the public to provide input on our operations and projects, contact their local officials, and participate in the regulatory process for our projects," Hanley said.
She added that the company implores peaceful protesters not to place themselves in an unsafe situation.
"The protesters today are placing themselves and first responders at risk by entering the pipe and positioning themselves in a confined space," she added. "We do not condone actions that take critical first responders away from their duties, thus also placing citizens dependent on their assistance at risk."
The company added that they plan to prosecute any protesters who were arrested for trespassing during the event: "It is our obligation to safely and securely operate our facilities, and we can neither tolerate nor allow trespassing."
Work was not interrupted due to the protest, she added.
Online, protesters posted photos of at least four people inside a pipe at the pipeline construction site. Another photo shows two of the protestors sitting atop one of the pipes.
The protesters say the project would endanger local residents and is too close to the Indian Point Necular Power Plant, News 12 said.
First responders removed the protestors from the pipe.
Click here to read the entire News 12 story.
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