First Posted: 6/15/2014
With plans in the works for a natural gas pipeline expansion to place 4.2 miles of new 30-inch pipe through Dallas, some community members are concerned over what they see as a lack of concern from the rest of the community.
Dory Hippaus, of Lehman, head of research for the Gas Drilling Awareness Coalition, Dallas, said she believes the community to be under-educated regarding the topic of the natural gas industry, its effects and what people can do to get involved.
“People need to educate themselves,” she said, later adding, “People have to stand up; they’ve got to speak out. They’ve got to get local and be vocal.”
One property owner to be directly affected by the Williams natural gas company’s Transco pipeline expansion, (called the Atlantic Sunrise Project) said she and her husband feel the more they look into the matter, the more questions, rather than answers, they have.
Joan and Tom Byron, of Dallas, were, a month ago, hopeful of positive communication and friendly agreement between themselves and Williams. After attending what she described as a “poorly organized” public open house hosted by the company, and later experiencing “misleading” communication with its representatives, however, she and her husband are no longer as optimistic about the matter.
Byron said after conducting more research, and considering what would happen should an explosion occur once the pipeline is installed on their property, she and her husband now feel they will have to move from their home.
“I can’t go to bed at night knowing if this thing blows, we’re all dead,” she said.
Echoing Hippaus’ statements, she expressed frustration over the lack of community knowledge on the topic, and said she feels the Dallas Township supervisors are giving up on the situation because there is nothing they can do.
Township Supervisor and Vice Chairwoman Elizabeth Martin said while there is no such thing as a “lost cause,” and while the supervisors do not “give up,” there are facts and realities to be addressed regarding the natural gas industry, and the board needs to deal with all types of issues presented to it by acting within the scope of the law.
“What is different about the Atlantic Sunrise Project,” she said, “is that this pipeline is not merely a gathering line, but a major 30”-42” transportation line. …Williams is applying with FERC (Federal Energy Regulatory Commission) for this project, which means that, if approved, they will have the right to ‘take’ the easement via eminent domain. If that happens, it would behoove property owners to respond to the inquiries and have some say as to where on their property the line will come through. At that point, unfortunately, it would no longer be ‘if’ the line will come through.
“My advice to property owners is, if they are against the line coming through their property, to find out when and where the FERC hearings will take place and voice their objections and concerns at that time.”
Martin added that township supervisors also want to hear residents’ concerns, and if anyone experiences difficulties with the gas company, they should inform them of such.
“I am in the office several hours every day,” she said, “but have not heard of more than one issue with that project. As township supervisors, our most important responsibility is to our residents. If they experience a problem that they cannot solve themselves, we are here to do what we can to help.”
Martin also suggested residents attend township meetings and get involved in municipal government. She said the township is in the process of compiling its comprehensive plan, a “vision for the next 10 to 20 years,” but residents haven’t shown much interest.
“It is during this process,” she said, “that we look at ways to be proactive when it comes to issues such as this (the pipeline expansion.) There will be a few more public meetings prior to adoption of the plan. I would suggest residents plan to attend and speak out.”
Hippaus offered two main pieces of advice to residents and landowners in and around the path of the proposed Atlantic Sunrise Project: Get informed, and don‘t sign a right of way agreement with Williams — let it go to eminent domain so the responsibility rests on the company.
“It does sound like we’re saying everything is bad,” Hippaus said, “but you need to know. If you’re going in for surgery, your doctor’s going to tell you what could go wrong. It’s informed consent, and the industry is not practicing that. They’re not telling you everything that’s going on.”
