Area pipeline replacement project concerns residents
This map shows the “proposed pipeline,” which would be replaced by a new pipeline in part of Washington County if National Fuel Gas is granted permission from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
This map shows the “proposed pipeline,” which would be replaced by a new pipeline in part of Washington County if National Fuel Gas is granted permission from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
James Kramer shows the path a pipeline would take through his backyard in Bulger.
James Kramer of Bulger objects to a natural gas pipeline proposed to go through his property. The project will start in February, depending on approval.
About 23 miles of natural gas pipeline will be replaced in northern Washington County, pending approval for the National Fuel Gas Supply Corp. project. The improved infrastructure would allow the company to increase its capacity for transporting gas, but some residents say their property would be compromised in the process.
The $66 million project would replace one existing line that was constructed in 1947, which runs from Mt. Pleasant Township to Independence Township in Beaver County. The current line would remain in place, and the new pipeline would have a 25-foot buffer from the existing structure.
National Fuel Gas hopes its project will be approved by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission in February, with construction to begin shortly thereafter. FERC already approved the company’s environmental assessment, stating the project would “not constitute a major federal action significantly affecting the quality of the human environment.”
But some residents complained the project would negatively affect their property and restrict their ability to develop their land in the future. Quintin Jones, of Robinson Township, said he has started tearing down a calf-feeding pen and cattle corral in anticipation of the project’s approval.
Jones and his brother, Tim, both own farmland and property on Maple Grove Road. While Jones is still negotiating with the company, he said he feels he doesn’t have a choice in the matter and must comply with the company’s plans. The underground pipeline would cut through the middle of his hay field, some fencing and wooded areas.
Moreso than the actual plans, he accused the company of lacking transparency in its conversations with local residents. A MarkWest pipeline also was constructed on his property, which he said was a smoother process.
His neighbor, Jim Kramer, also criticized the company’s plans and questioned whether eminent domain would be used to gain access to part of his property. Kramer said the pipeline would cut through about 400 feet of his property and would prevent him from building on that land in the future.
“What really bothers me the most is that National Fuel Gas is a publicly traded company from the New York Stock Exchange with $1.3 billion in revenue,” Kramer said. “They’re publicly traded, so they take away property and all the stockholders that are invested in National Fuel benefit from them taking my property and continue to benefit forever.”
Company spokesperson Sandra James said the company is still negotiating with residents, and no plans have been made to pursue eminent domain at this time.
“We work with all the landowners to find a good right of way through their property. We negotiate with all the landowners in good faith, and we hope to avoid that,” James said. “Eminent domain is a last resort. We would prefer not to do that.”
According to the company, the new 24-inch pipeline would be “state-of-the-art coated pipeline” made of steel. November is the target in-service date, and the company anticipates that the project will create between 150 and 200 jobs during construction.