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I am glad that Gov Kulungoski has finally spoken up about this issue and asked the FERC to assess need. As someone who has gotten notices from two separate companies who would like to build their pipelines through my property is is hard to NOT be a Not-In-My-Backyarder! Although I requested copies of the environmental impact statements from FERC when I submitted comments on these projects; I have yet to receive anything. I have not even gotten information about where on my property the private companies intend to place the pipelines.

It scares me that a private for profit company can build these pipelines and use eminent domain to obtain the land they need. The process thus far seems to have taken very little consideration of local and state input. If this project is needed for public good; should this not be a public venture?

As for the jobs that would come? Probably very few lasting local jobs; those that would build the pipeline would come and then go. What about our farmers and their jobs? What about the winery my husband works in that would lose a large portion of their planted grapes and for sure jobs would follow. (In the past the vineyard workers ruptured a large irrigation pipe that was underground in the vineyard. This pipe is deeper than the proposed gas pipeline! The land would not be workable.)

There are numerous safety concerns as well! Putting a 3and 1/2foot diameter pipe through a valley that is known for both landslides and flooding seems foolish. There is also a very limited fire response in this rural area; should there be an expolsion the local fire cheif stated it would have to burn until it could be shut down! When your house is the blast zone;you think about such things.

Regardless of whether this is in your backyard or not I think everyone should think about how this process is proceeding as if citizens do not matter; and what it means to let a private for profit company come into a local community and dictate land use for an unproven "greater good".

posted 5 years, 2 months ago
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