The board of directors votes against pipe project involving Pa. Natural gas
ANNAPOLIS, Maryland – A board of high-ranking Maryland officials on Wednesday rejected a proposed pipeline across the western part of the state that would carry natural gas produced in Pennsylvania to West Virginia.
The Public Works Board voted 3-0 against an easement for TransCanada's pipeline. It would run beneath the Potomac River near Hancock, Maryland, and stretch for 3.8 miles from Columbia Gas's Pennsylvania network to the Gas Distribution System in West Virginia.
Competitor Peter Franchot, a democratically testified witness that the pipeline could bring Maryland environmental problems without economic benefits. The Board also includes Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan, a Republican and Treasurer Nancy Kopp, a Democrat.
Environmentalists and residents have been vocal in opposing the pipeline.
"Marylanders and many of their leaders have consistently opposed the threats Fracked gas pipelines make up our health, water, climate and society," said Josh Tulkin, Sierra Club Maryland's chapter director.
Scott Castleman, a spokesman for TransCanada, said the company will consider the alternatives in the coming days to keep the project on track.
"For almost two years, our project has been studied and scrutinized by groups, including the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, the Maryland Department of Environment and the Maryland Department of Natural Resources," said Castleman. "This extensive process has confirmed that through proper design and construction, our project can be completed in an environmentally sound and secure manner."
The natural gas pipeline is now online, the path goes through Cumberland County
The board's voice came after more than 60 Legislators sent a letter urging the board members to reject the proposal. girl a law, which Hogan signed in 201[ads1]7, to ban the hydraulic fracture drilling process known as fracking in Maryland. The process is used to extract natural gas. Maryland was the first state in which a legislature voted to carry the practice that actually has natural gas reserves.
"Given that Maryland has banned fracking, it defies the state's existing energy policy to bring the same health risks to our citizens right away from a pipeline," the letter said. "In addition, fossil fuel production is in contrast to the government's goal of increasing renewable energy production."
The letter, which was sent this week, also noted that the pipeline would affect at least 10 wetlands and 19 streams, in addition to the Potomac River.
While the board delayed a vote on easement at its last meeting, Hogan said that unanimous vote would have taken place without the letter from lawmakers.
"It had nothing to do with a letter from the legislator" Hogan said at Wednesday's board meeting.
Anne Havemann, a lawyer for the Chesapeake Climate Action Network, said she hopes the board's votes mark an end to the proposal.
"We want to see if the (Federal Energy Regulatory Commission) gets involved or the courts get involved, but for now it's a welcome delay, and we hope a permanent end to this pipeline, Havemann said shortly after the poll.
