Breaking News out of OWEN COUNTY: Joining a number of counties across Kentucky, the Owen County Fiscal Court recently passed a resolution opposing the controversial Bluegrass Pipeline project! Court goes on record against pipeline project Wednesday, September 18, 2013 at 1:27 pm Joining a number of counties across Kentucky, the Owen County Fiscal Court recently passed a resolution opposing the controversial Bluegrass Pipeline project. The resolution cites safety concerns such as accidents at natural-gas liquids facilities, pipeline ruptures and environmental concerns. Owen County Judge-executive Carolyn Keith said she is concerned that landowners who could become involved aren’t getting the whole truth. “I know that we all have to move toward progress,” Keith said during the meeting. “… But I feel counties far more sophisticated in industry than we are have come out strongly against (the pipeline) and I’m very concerned that our landowners in the area may perhaps be taken advantage of.” In passing a resolution opposing the pipeline project, Owen County joins Franklin, Marion, Scott, Anderson, Pendleton, Washington and Shelby counties with formal opposition. In Owen County, the pipeline is expected to go through Leaning Oak Road near Corinth. Third-district magistrate Teresa Davis said the majority of her constituents on Leaning Oak Road were opposed to the pipeline. “There are a few people that don’t care one way or the other,” Davis said. “I ran into a couple that just absolutely think we need to do it. But a lot are thinking it’s natural gas, when I show them what’s actually gonna run through it, they change their mind real quick.” According to the resolution, a portion of the pipeline is planned to cross several Kentucky counties. The pipeline would link onto an existing pipeline in Hardinsburg that would be repurposed for natural-gas liquids transmission. The proposed pipeline was developed by two energy infrastructure companies, Williams and Boardwalk Pipeline Partners LP, and would transport natural-gas liquids from gas-drilling operations in the northeastern United States to processing plants on the Gulf of Mexico. Fourth-district magistrate Troy Bramblett voted against the resolution but said that didn’t mean he was in favor of the pipeline. “I’m concerned about this liquid going through the pipeline, but I’m convinced that’s the safest way to transport anything like this,” Bramblett said during the meeting. “You’ve got limited risks by transporting through a pipeline ... I’m not saying that I’m for the pipeline by no means, I guess it’s just our wording why we’re against it. ... I can’t say that I’m gonna be against this pipeline for the sole purpose of contamination and all that, but I’m not saying I’m for the pipeline either.” One of the concerns expressed by private citizens and lawmakers is the potential use of eminent domain, which would force landowners to sell their property if the project is deemed necessary for wide-ranging economic growth. State Rep. John Tilley, D-Hopkinsville, prefiled legislation in the Ky. Gen. Assembly Monday that would make the law governing eminent domain clearer when issues arise like those surrounding the proposed pipeline. Under Tilley’s bill, the Public Service Commission also would play a gatekeeper role if those constructing pipelines cannot reach agreement with private landowners. “I think the PSC is the natural administrative body to handle these types of questions, given its work in regulating other utilities,” Tilley said. “This would enable the state to put the bill in place almost immediately.” Tilley’s legislation will be considered during the 2014 Legislative session, which begins in January.
Posted on: Thu, 19 Sep 2013 01:08:45 +0000