Higdon voices concern over proposal to use 70-year-old pipeline for NGLs

By JIMMY HIGDON
14th District State Senator

Thursday, June 23, 2016, 3 p.m. — As many of you know, there has been a highly debated proposal to convert a natural gas pipeline that runs through Marion County and five of Kentucky’s six congressional districts into a natural gas liquids (NGL) pipeline. An article from last week’s Danville Advocate reported that several community members that oppose this pipeline conversion were writing letters to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) demanding a full environmental impact study of the Utica Marcellus Texas Pipeline Project.

I firmly believe this study is a must. I am very concerned and will send a letter to the FERC and to members of Kentucky’s federal delegation. I will also share the letter with my colleagues at the state level in Frankfort.

While I am not opposed to pipelines, because that is the safest and most efficient way to move many substances, I do have some serious concerns as to how this particular pipeline could affect our communities in the 14th State Senate District and beyond.

This pipeline in discussion is more than 70 years old and it has a history of known leaks and ruptures. The age and condition of the pipeline bring about not only safety issues but also environmental concerns.

The pipeline runs through Marion County’s watershed. Marion County has a karst terrain and a pipeline leak or rupture could cause permanent contamination to our water supply, which obviously would be detrimental to our community.

Also, the water in Marion County and other counties in my district are absolutely vital to the bourbon industry, and the potential contamination of the water supply could have grave consequences to the local economy.

Additionally, I have concerns with eminent domain and how it could affect property owners if it becomes necessary to replace the old pipe in order to make this pipeline conversion happen. Property owners work their entire lives to purchase a home and a piece of land that they can enjoy and one where they can raise their families. I also have concerns about the effects this will have on property values. Kentucky courts have ruled that eminent domain does not apply in cases involving NGL pipelines.

This is not to say that I am against keeping the cost of energy low. I consider myself a common-sense conservative, and I personally do not know enough about the potential long-term effects of this pipeline conversion, which is why I think we need to take a harder look via a full environmental impact study.

I encourage you to reach out with your opinions and concerns on this issue. Send your letter or petition to FERC at the following address:

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
888 First Street, NE
Washington, DC 20426

You may also file comments related to a FERC project using eComment or eFiling.

Feel free to call me at either my home phone: 270-692-6945, toll-free at 1-800-372-7181, or email me at Jimmy.Higdon@LRC.ky.gov. It is an honor to serve as your state senator and I thank you for your continued support.

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