Opinion: Pipeline presentation did little to help company’s public image

By JIM BROOKS
Nelson County Gazette

A capacity crowd attended the Bardstown-Nelson County Chamber luncheon which featured a presentation on the Bluegrass Pipeline at Bardstown County Club.

Monday, March 10, 2014, 12:05 p.m.  — There was a packed house last week for the Bardstown-Nelson County Chamber of Commerce’s luncheon at the Bardstown Country Club — due in no small part to the guest speakers: representatives from the chamber’s newest member, the Bluegrass Pipeline partners.

The presentation by Scott Carney was an informative one presented in a careful, deliberate manner that was designed to prevent audience members from publicly voicing their concerns as a group. No questions were allowed from the audience; those with questions were asked to approach Carney individually after his talk.

SCOTT CARNEY

One of the widely disputed facts in the presentation was the company’s claim the pipeline’s operation will generate more than $2.5 million in new tax revenue for Nelson County. Most estimates by individuals who are not connected with the pipeline have provided substantially lower revenue estimates, and suggest perhaps the pipeline partners are painting an overly optimistic picture with their figures.

I would expect their presentation to be positive, I don’t have a problem with that. The biggest problem came after the presentation when Carney took questions from individuals.

While I was waiting to speak with Carney, I heard him deny allegations from a local realtor that the pipeline partners are lobbying against House Bill 31, a bill that would deny them the power to use eminent domain.

Perhaps Carney simply misspoke. Or maybe he didn’t know the Legislative Research Commission provides lists of lobbyists and the companies they represent as public record. The partners — Boardwalk Pipeline Partners and the Williams Co. — share the same nine lobbyists.

The pipeline’s interests — which in this case means stopping HB 31 — are also represented by the Kentucky Association of Manufacturers, the Kentucky Oil & Gas Association and the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce. These heavy hitters testified in committee against HB31 and are currently putting their influence to work hoping to keep legislators from approving this bill.

You can’t blame the pipeline partners for doggedly pursuing every avenue they can to get this project completed. The pipeline, a nearly $7 billion project, has competition from a project that doesn’t need new construction and acquiring new easements.

But competition doesn’t excuse the company’s deceptive practice of denying it is lobbying against pending legislation. It’s a damned lie, plain and simple.

The pipeline partners’ reputation has already been damaged by the unethical practices of some of its contract field crews in their dealings with landowners. It would be reassuring to hear an honest answer instead of carefully worded statements designed to avoid giving a real answer.

I’m in favor of House Bill 31, though not particularly because of the Bluegrass Pipeline. I support the bill because it strengthens the existing law and prevents eminent domain abuses while still allowing eminent domain for projects that are truly in the public’s interest.

Our right to private property must be protected, and HB 31 deserves our support. Call your legislator today and ask him or her to support HB 31.

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