Activist: Pipeline victory will help in compressor fight

By Charles Reynolds
MILFORD — Activist Alex Lotorto said opponents of the compressor upgrade will appeal any state ruling that doesn't include requiring the gas company use Best Management Practices, science-based conservation practices that help to protect the environment.

Lotorto, community organizer for Energy Justice Network, told Milford supervisors this week what his groups are doing to prepare for the next step in their fight against Columbia Gas/NiSource's plan to upgrade the compressor station on Fire Tower Road. They are having weekly conference calls and preparing an appeal on the 14 main points brought up at the recent Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) hearing at Delaware Valley High School.

The environmental assessment recently released by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission did not even mention the electric motors or any of the comments from the DEP hearing, just “how great (combustion engines) are," Lotorto said.

They can also use the segmentation ruling that Tennessee Gas Pipeline recently lost in federal court, he said, since Columbia is doing four upgrades in four years of compressor stations, which makes them essentially the same project. The U.S. Court of Appeals last month ordered the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to fully reassess the entire 80-mile pipeline upgrade after finding that FERC cut the project into segments, each with its own environmental assessment.

Supervisors' Chair Don Quick read a letter from Columbia Gas Transmission dated Sept. 12 that provided an update of the East Side Expansion Project, pointing out a passage he felt was significant to mention:

“Underpinning this entire effort has been Columbia's unwavering commitment to collaborative stakeholder relationships and forward-looking environmental practices," said Quick as he read from the letter. "We strive to be a responsible neighbor and good corporate citizen and are committed to keeping you informed of our activities in your area.”

All three commissioners signed a letter to Columbia Gas supporting Milford Township's request that Columbia Gas/NiSource come in for a conditional use hearing on the compressor upgrade. They also support the municipality's urgent request that the gas company and the PA Department of Environmental Protection require Columbia Gas to use electric motors in the new station.

Supervisors said they are waiting to see how the state will rule on the permit application before taking further action. Once the state makes its decision, the township will have 30 days to respond, they said.

Online
Energy Justice Network: energyjustice.net

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