By Susan Bromley
Staff Writer
Atlas Twp.-Just the facts, from unbiased sources.
A town hall meeting regarding the proposed ET Rover natural gas pipeline project is planned for 6-9:30 p.m., Oct. 30, at the Goodrich Middle School cafeteria, 7480 Gale Road. The meeting will feature speakers from outside the community meant to provide information from a neutral position that will assist residents who may be affected by the pipeline.
‘Information is power and knowledge,? said Township Supervisor Shirley Kautman-Jones. ‘The more they can get from different sources will benefit them now and in the future. We’re excited to host this, we have a great line-up of speakers.?
Those speakers include Curtis Talley, MSU Extension farm land management educator; Boris K. Yakima, attorney specializing in eminent domain for more than 30 years; Tim Laurencelle, land appraiser specializing in land valuation since 1980; Kim Savage, an attorney who recently represented property owners affected by the Enbridge pipeline; and a representative from the Pipeline Safety Trust.
Representatives from ET Rover are not expected to attend. Kautman-Jones requested the attendance of a representative from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, but the entity with whom ET Rover is currently in the pre-filing application process and which will ultimately grant or deny approval is not able to send anyone.
ET Rover pre-filed with FERC in June a plan to install an 800-mile natural gas pipeline from the Marcellus and Utica shale areas in Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Ohio, north through Michigan and ending in Canada. The pipeline, which ranges in size from 36 to 42 inches in diameter and would transport up to 3.25 million cubic feet of natural gas, was originally slated to follow the Enbridge Line 6B oil pipeline closely through both Groveland and Brandon townships, but plans were announced in August to shift the route north. The route change came after much controversy in Brandon and Groveland, where residents protested, and both township boards passed resolutions opposing the pipeline and the proposed route, citing safety and environmental concerns.
A question and answer period will follow the presentations from speakers at the Oct. 30 town hall meeting. Written questions for speakers can be submitted by attendees. Michael J. Thorp will serve as moderator.
‘I’m hopeful the project won’t come through,? said Kautman-Jones. ‘It’s a federal issue and people need to understand that. If we could stop it, we would have stopped it on Sept. 1. All we can do is give our people the information they need. Ultimately, it’s their property… I am not going to say, ‘It’s over,? and lay down. But people are misinformed. They think if they call me and write a letter, or call their representative or commissioner, that it’s the end. The beginning is with FERC.?
She encourages residents to file comments opposing the project at ferc.org (Docket PF14-14). Kautman-Jones emphasized that comments in opposition have to be relevant to why? not just that they don’t want it, but with reasons citing, for example, safety or environmental concerns, or decrease in property values.
For more information, she suggests residents visit pstrust.org.