un-naturalgas.org weblog

From a pipeline safety activist:

Some pipeline basics:
http://www.pstrust.org/pipeinfo/beginners.htm
http://www.ferc.gov/industries/gas/indus-act/blank-cert/blanketcert.pdf

Getting involved before the pipeline is built:
http://www.pstrust.org/pipeinfo/involvement.htm

A good summary of what you should do after the pipeline is built:
http://www.pstrust.org/pipeinfo/landowners.htm

Note links at the bottom of that page, such as:
http://www.ownerscounsel.com/

Page for local governments:
http://www.pstrust.org/pipeinfo/localgov.htm

It’s virtually impossible to stop a pipeline from being built once they claim eminent domain. That’s gone all the way to the US Supreme Court for a non pipeline eminent domain issue, and was upheld. Yes, private companies can take your land for their gain.

You also need to know some details about the pipeline:
*If it’s a gas gathering (production) pipeline, then it’s regulated by an agency in your state.
*If it’s a gas gathering pipeline, then how will the pipeline company deal with the steel corrosive compounds in the raw gas that can corrode the pipeline quickly if not controlled? Note that raw gas is unodorized, so finding a leak in a raw gas pipeline by smell is not recommended.
*How much land will need to be cleared of all vegetation before the pipeline is built?
*Who is responsible for restoring the land after the pipeline is built, and how will that be done?
*How much land will need to be kept clear of trees, shrubs, out buildings, above ground pools, etc. after the pipeline is built? Some people got a real shock when pipelines near them decided to start clearing their pipeline Right of Ways (ROW) as wide as the easement deed allowed. Or, they find restrictions on what they can plant on & near the pipeline.

Tags: eminent domain, pipelines