New York State gives OK to build natural gas pipeline

The New York State Public Service Commission approved a project that will bring locally extracted natural gas to residents across New York State.

According to the Post-Standard, the construction of an 8.2-mile pipeline between Eaton and Lebanon is expected to begin this fall. The project was pushed back until fall, so farmers along the route could plant and harvest their crops without interruption.

The project helps Norse Energy move its natural gas from wells in Madison County and Chenango County, to a compressor station in Eaton.

The pipeline had been under state review since June.

The new pipeline will run parallel to existing plastic transmission lines, buried up to four feet beneath farmlands, forests, wetlands, roads and streams.

The Public Service Commission said Norse customers will see immediate improvements to their energy costs.There are, however, public safety and environmental concerns that have been raised.

State officials and representatives from Norse were asked to attend a town board meeting on April 12, where the concerns will be presented to them.

 Fuel economy standards set by the government

The final rules for the new fuel economy standards were released by the government Thursday.

The regulations require all passenger cars and light trucks sold in the United States to get an average of 34.1 miles per gallon by model year 2016, according to CNN. This is the first time a national average has been set for all vehicles.

The Obama administration originally announced the new regulations in May 2009. The final details were unveiled by the Department of Transportation and the Envirnmental Protection Administration

The 34.1-mpg standard is significantly higher than current regulations. Currently cars have a standard of 27.5-mpg, while trucks are required to get 23.5-mpg.

By the 2016 model year, cars are expected to have an average of about 39-mpg. An average of 30-mpg is the target for trucks.

Different automakers will have different goals they have to meet, based on the average size of the vehicles they sell.

The EPA estimates that with the new standards, car owners will save more than $3,000 over the life of a new vehicle. The EPA also estimated that the changes will save 1.8 billion barrels of oil by 2016.

Each year the fuel economy will be gradually increased, starting with model year 2012.

Jets' QB Sanchez calims he will be ready for training camp

Mark Sanchez says he will be ready to go for training camp, after having surgery in the offseason.

The Jets quarterback had surgery on Feb. 17 to repair ligaments in his knee.

“I’ll absolutely be 100 percent by training camp and be ready to go for the season,” Sanchez said, according to ESPN.

As a rookie Sanchez led the Jets to a 9-7 regular season record. He then led his team to two playoff wins before the Jets fell to the Colts in the AFC Championship Game.

Sanchez also said he has been working out a lot and says the injury was a blessing in disguise.

He was unsure when he would be able to return to football activities, but insisted he would be ready by late July, when the Jets training camp begins.