By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
Bowling Green City Council was again asked Tuesday evening to stand up to plans for a pipeline crossing city property. But this time the request came from geologist Bob Vincent, who wasn’t suggesting that the pipeline be blocked – just that it be done right.
Last year, council voted unanimously to deny an easement request for the Nexus pipeline to cross 29 acres of city land located in Middleton Township, about 2.5 miles east of the city’s water treatment plant.
But the city is reluctant to take the fight any further, since the battle would likely be expensive and futile. The pipeline company does not yet have eminent domain authority, but is actively pursuing that power.
On Tuesday evening, chemist Neocles Leontis and environmental science major Lisa Kochheiser presented more information regarding safety issues with the pipeline being planned. Of greatest concern is the pipeline intersection with the BG fault line and the possible existence of karst carbonated rock in the area.
“I’m afraid of this,” Vincent said, suggesting that more data is needed before drilling begins for the pipeline. “I don’t want them to stop it,” since the pipeline could bring revenue to the region, “but I want them to do it right.”
Vincent said he is unsure if the pipeline firm can be forced to study the proposed route further. But he added, “it’s not best for the company to try this.”
Paul Wohlfarth, questioned the pipeline route. “Why they would put a pipeline across a fault line near the Maumee River is beyond me,” he said.
Janice Lower, who lives across from the water plant, said she owns a cabin near the fault line. She said the cabin’s basement and a pool previously on the property were damaged by cracking attributed to the fault line.
“We are running a tremendous risk if we allow this pipeline to go through,” Lower said.
Leontis and Kochheiser presented city council with some suggested actions:
- Acknowledge and publicize the dangers posed by the proximity of proposed Nexus pipeline to BG fault and BG water facility.
- Obtain an independent scientific evaluation of the dangers involved.
- File a formal complaint with FERC regarding the siting of the Nexus pipeline near the BG water facility and inadequacy of the Nexus environmental impact statement.
Kochheiser presented a map that showed the proposed pipeline route, the BG water treatment plant, the BG fault, the expected karst area, and the “blast radius zone.” She noted the severe injuries suffered by a man in Pennsylvania when a pipeline exploded there last year.
