Driller gets variance for gas compressor station in Donegal
WEST ALEXANDER – MarkWest will be able to keep its Carpenter compressor station in Donegal Township as it currently stands, but the company must cease construction until it gets a building permit. That was the decision of a three-member appeals board Wednesday, which called a hearing to order after MarkWest appealed the decision by township code officials to deny them a building permit to construct a football field-sized facility for compressing natural gas.
The building was constructed atop a hill along Old National Pike, and four compressors are currently operating inside the facility. MarkWest plans to expand the building and ultimately operate six compressors.
Rob McHale, spokesman for MarkWest, said they were pleased with the board’s decision, which also granted MarkWest a variance to forego certain building requirements for the compressor station, including a sprinkler system, firewalls and limitations on the amount of gas they could store.
“We appreciate the decision of the board and the township’s willingness to work toward a mutually satisfactory resolution,” he said.
Don Hindman, township building code official, said he denied MarkWest’s permit because the building was simply too large and did not meet fire safety requirements, nor abide by limitations on the amount of gas that can be held in what is called a “fire area.” He argued, according to the classification under International Building Code, MarkWest is compelled to install firewalls between compressors and implement a sprinkler system.
But MarkWest argued those systems would actually hinder safety. Jim Johnstone, president of Contek Solutions, testified MarkWest’s safety features go “above and beyond” industry standards, and hazards have been “engineered out.”
He said, in the event of a fire, a sprinkler system is not nearly as effective as it would be to shut off the source of the fuel, which is what the compressor stations aim to do. MarkWest uses various detection systems, including “fire eyes” and gas detectors that shut down the plant and vent the gas if a fire starts.
The building also is equipped with pressure, temperature and vibration sensors. It is an unmanned facility, but is monitored in real-time through a digital system.
“If there’s literally a hiccup in that building, (MarkWest) is going to know about it,” Johnstone said.
Citing the Interstate Natural Gas Association of America, he stated 99.81% of reciprocating compressors in the country do not use sprinkler or active fire protection systems.
Most officials seemed to agree MarkWest’s safety standards were up to par, but still questioned the company’s eagerness to start construction without a building permit.
Company representatives said they regretted the error, but went ahead with the construction because they have a great track record with compressor stations in the area and did not expect the building permit to be denied. MarkWest operates 16 compressor stations in Washington County alone.
Attorney Krista-Ann Staley, on behalf of MarkWest, said the company did not want “to intentionally thwart the township’s authority by any means.”
Not everyone agreed, though. All three members of the board of supervisors spoke out against MarkWest’s construction of the facility without a permit.
“Surely, they knew the permit process,” said supervisor Doug Teagarden, referencing the fact MarkWest was granted three of the four permits it needed for the facility.
“Any resident in this township cannot build a building unless they got a permit,” said board Chairman Dave Ealy. “Do you think you don’t have to abide by this uniform building code?”
“Donegal is gas and oil friendly. We bend over backwards (for the industry) … It’s great for the community,” said Supervisor Edward Stout. “But it’s not great for the community when you come back and stab us by not doing it the proper way.”
MarkWest will be required to undergo the proper inspections for the facility and reapply for a building permit.
Members of the appeals board were William Braun, of Senate Engineering Company; John Zwicker, of Donegal Township; and John Lieberman, of North Strabane Township.