The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission today approved the NEXUS pipeline project and its environment impact on Ohio communities. (The pipeline will also travel through Michigan to Canada; it was approved in its entirety.)
As far as Northeast Ohio is concerned, the natural gas pipeline is planned to run through fairly dense, almost suburban portions of Stark, Summit, Medina and Lorain counties. The 36-inch pipeline covers 256 miles, all told.
The FERC environmental impact statement admits there will be “some adverse environmental impacts.” The commission will establish an environmental compliance inspection program as the NEXUS project continues, watching for parent company Spectra Energy’s compliance with environmental regulations.
Well before the route was given this approval, however — up until yesterday, in fact, in the city of Green — surveyors have been entering private property Northeast Ohio to prepare the construction job. In some cases, armed officers from the county sheriff’s office have accompanied them.
“Spectra Energy is all about timelines,” Jon Strong, a Medina County resident and an organizer of the Coalition to Reroute NEXUS, tells Scene. “They’re trying to do everything they can to short-cycle to when they can start digging and putting pipe in the ground. On their side of the fence, it’s ‘We need to get all our surveys done, come hell or high water, as soon as possible.'”
Multiple Ohio statutes have been upheld in county courts, favoring landowners’ rights when it comes to private surveyors entering property. Additional civil cases are under way, which may or may not have an impact on NEXUS; Strong says that the work being done to cement property owners’ rights will have an impact on future projects that involved survey work.
Given FERC approval now, NEXUS construction is expected to begin in the spring.
Still, Strong’s organization and others in the area plan to fight the incursion of a natural gas pipeline in their communities. “We’re just holding them off,” he says. “Number one: Do it the way it’s intended to work, the [survey] process. Don’t cheat. Number two: The longer we put it off, the more time we get for other variables to come affect this process. There are serious industry insiders now starting to question the need for all this pipeline taking away capacity. We’re overbuilding the infrastructure.” (The ET Rover pipeline, which, if approved, will boast a 42-inch diameter in some areas, may run through a nearly identical route across Ohio.)
Note that, just last night, a pipeline exploded outside Kansas City. Last month, a pipeline exploded in Alabama, killing one person and injuring others. Safety concerns remain high on the priority lists of pipeline opponents, alongside legal, environmental and business-related issues.
Last year, Scene traveled to the Marcellus-Utica Midstream Conference in Pittsburgh. (The “midstream” portion of the energy industry refers most commonly to pipeline transportation.) During a Q&A session with Barry Davis, CEO of Enlink Midstream Partners, we asked about the long-term impact of drilling and pipeline construction — i.e., what are Americans to make of the inevitable financial bust and environmental harm that will always be a part of the business cycle? Davis demurred, citing a 40- to 80-year lifespan for most wells.
The Ohio Chamber of Commerce has publicly stated that the pipeline construction and operation will create 6,800 jobs and provide an $830-million economic impact.
“I’m not fighting the fact that you want to build a pipeline,” Strong says. “I’m fighting the fact that you want to take it through heavily populated counties in Northeast Ohio to get where you’re going when you don’t have to. You can go around the outside, so to speak, and put this in a place that makes more sense to people, that’s more considerate of the environment and community.”
This article appears in Nov 23-29, 2016.
Would it be more considerate to the environment to put the pipline through heavily populated areas, or make it go ‘around the outside’ of towns and cities? Think about it.. it would do more damage to wildlife and the environment if it was routed outside of towns, because if it exploded then it would contaminate flaura and fauna in the wilderness
And it wouldn’t contaminate the “fauna” of the population centers, endangering the lives of hundreds of thousands of people???
Ohio doesn’t really HAVE “wilderness”, just areas with fewer humans per square mile
How would you like to have part of your property taken for something and have it run right up near your house? I know several families that will be directly affected by this. And they can say they have gone on the property legally, but I can tell you, at least in the past, they would just go on the property without even knocking on the owner’s door or giving them a phone call. We are not talking about vacant property here. We are talking about property with homes with children in them.
Why not run it parallel to the Ohio Turnpike? They would not disturb anyone’s property and the turnpike could certainly use the money!
This is a for profit export pipeline owned by a foreign company. There are no Ohio customers making it of no benefit to Ohio. How can they justify eminent domain with no public need?
gee, not for the lack of reading to see what the answer is, but nobody is saying if this is a gasline, oiline, oilsands line or hershey’s chocolate?
Somehow, gas companies have to fulfill the need for cheap fuel until people take steps to to reduce their usage. We can’t have everything in life, we have to make choices, some will make smart choices, some will not.
I do wonder about the title of this article, it looks to me that NW Ohio would be affected also.
Did you contact the company and Columbia Gas and Dominion East Ohio to understand why existing natural gas pipeline can’t be used or at least tied into? There is a LOT of gas transmission line already in the ground from West Virginia border up through Toledo. Why does there have to be new pipe laid?
I have been a rough neck on the oil rigs for 22 years until 6 months ago. When our American government disn’t care care about there fellow patrion.
Only what it ment to them.
I am all for oil in gas being drilled on American soil. But! It needs to stay here. Not shipped over seas and then brought back. None of that.
Are they scared that we can’t or not smart enough to refine our own oil.
When’s the last time we built a refinery in the United states? Huh!
With that said. Pipe lines should be ran above ground. Off the soil for proper inspection and repairs. No brainer. But we as Americans can’t allow that! It’s hard on the eyes and right in our face. Can’t deny it. Can’t have it……
I say to reduce all the political stuff ” reservation land, private, historic or other issues that stem from this” which is non profittable on all sides.
We quite playing the political and government game.
Build our own refineries were the COMMUNITY agrees in there state. And be proud AMERICANS.
Not unemployed and worried how they will take care of there families.
With that said! And obviously for oil. I’m also for the land. Our land. Feds armed or not. They would be surveying from a distance.
And one heck of a shoot out!
This is supposed to be the land of the free. Not land of the American government. And we should not have to live in fear.
I believe they have a word for that.. oh ya!
COMUNISM
Why Oh Why aren’t we looking into clean energy…from the sun and wind?? Millions of healthy jobs could be created to do good work…not work that will make people sick.
Tell Donald Trump…he will fix it…he’s gonna make america great again…and I see a pig flying…
David Price, it’s easy to miss, but the article says its a natural gas line @ start of 8th paragraph:
“Still, Strong’s organization and others in the area plan to fight the incursion of a natural gas pipeline in their communities.”
That’s poor writing to hide it like that.
Obviously some illegal trespassing going on by surveyors if they are being accompanied by armed police. Unless they have a legal easement, entering private property against an owner’s permission requires a court order.
i know of a couple that has had their properties taken ..not just once, but twice, talk about b.s…and wasn’t offered nearly what they had invested both times. one home was near west branch reservoir, the other was off 59 near kent where they eventually put wal-mart in, funny how it never effects the ones pushing the issue.
unnecessary, ridiculous infringement on land owner rights, horrible idea for the environment. Someone must be making a ton of money off of this…nobody I know.
when their deadline? I want protest against nexus pipeline in my home state.
Of course they are making tons of money on this or they would have changed the way they do things to keep up with the times
Will someone please remind the FERC that Ohio is famous for RIVERS CATCHING FIRE FROM BEING SO POLLUTED? What makes them think this is a good idea?
40 yr. pipelines suck us into this g/o for yrs. and yrs. We have to go w/ renewables for the sake of our health. Look at what’s going on with the environment.-droughts, floods etc. G/O are the richest corporations and will not give it up. People have to stand up and take it away. Join groups like CELDF to take back community rights!
We as human beings. Have no rights anymore. Human slaves that work for the king. Sorry president. Just worded different so it’s ok. We don’t own our land we work so hard for all our lives. Go ahead and not pay land taxes for a few years and see where it takes you!
I guarantee it won’t be yours. Or anything else for that matter.
We need to stand up to human slavery. I want better for my children.
This isn’t the America that I have been told. Lies, lies, lies
LAND OF THE FREE. PLEASE,!
I pay in 42 k a year in taxes. Faithful to the oilfield and damn proud.
They take our jobs from us. Put us on unemployment. Then say I make to much to qualify for food stamps.
That is so American of them. If that’s what we have become as Americans. Then I want no part of it.
Until we grow a backbone and stand up to our government as a nation concerned. Nothing will change. We are saying yes please master what else can I give up or sacrifice to make the USA better.
I feel our government is not looking out for there own. SICKENING !
But hey! Go America Go. Straight down the toilet bowl
To the clean energy clean energy fanatics. I say this. I support oil and gas threw and threw. That was how I have supported my family for 22 years. Happy to go to work everyday. Wasn’t thought of as a JOB. Proud American. Because I knew that each and every American depended on me.
We have made our self dependent on our resources. Decaying waste. Awesome.
Go ahead and put food on the table for your kids with wind and no more oil or gas.
You will starve. Guaranteed.
Educate yourself on oil based products. And see if your ready to go back to living like a brainless cave man.
I didn’t think so.
Unail then. You people depend on real people like roughnecks who put there life’s on the line 18hrs. A day 7 days a week. Away from our families for long periods of time.
But yet talk down to as if we are criminals for doing our job.
Drill. Drill. Drill. For its going to be a cold winter people.
So keep asking why o why on alternative clean energy. I will tell you the answer. Ready?
We don’t live in a life full of fairy people with dust. We are Real people that are dependent on our waste resources. What will happen if we quite using our resources at hand. Hmmmm tree hugger I’m just a dumb uneducated roughkneck. I don’t know. Waste grows and grows and grows. Guess what? Your beautiful pure clean rivers are now rivers of nothing but oil. That’s what you will end up with eventually. But keep saying no to oil
I was going to buy in Medina or Summit county. My son plans to do the same. The best plan is to see where this thing is going first. My other son and brother are already there. This map is too small to see anything on my phone, and won’t enlarge. Will research further.
http://standwithstandingrock.net/donate/
America!,,,
I’m so sorry that you have done this to my people. HUMANS. That’s my people.
I want a divorce from the United states of America and the land of bulls hit , lies, land of the free. Go fuck your beliefs. They aren’t mine. So deal with the reality government of the us. I’m only one unemployed father, neighbor, citizen no more tired of your shit. How dare you.? Bullies. I’m not scared of you. I’m a little slow I guess. But you opened my eyes. Boy did you mother fuckers piss of the wrong person.
You mother fuckers in Congress and whatever person thinks I might be a trader. Well guess what! Iam. A trader. Take my oilfield job after 22 years like it was nothing. Why? Because you can. Were your leaders. Fuck please. A child in preschool in some other country would be better then you fucks. Cause atleast i would have a prayer that someone is sticking up for citizen. And not for there own interest.American people lm sorry
This is me calling you out! When I say America go fuck yourself. I’m out. NO more !I will not pay another penny to your pathetic no budgetting ass. Because you make us live in fear of your prisons our whole lives. Go fuck yourself. You fucks. How dare you! I have been to prison. Not so bad really. …. won’t ever go back because that mother fuckers! is for the people that are still scared of you. No more. Go ahead and send your people to come shut me up. I don’t care. I know it’s coming. U will not tolerate anyone standing up 2 you. Hell even call them terrorist.
The United states of America I Daniel fucking norton. Declare war on you bit ch ass worthless excuse of a human. You are the ace of spades now . Public enemy #1. Run mother fuckers and hide congress and the rest of the leaders. You fucked the wrong person when you decided to put your pocket book first. And unemployed all MY people. Not yours. My oilfield people. Like it doesn’t matter. Why? Oh we will bounce back. Always do. Haha……..
FUCK YOU!
I was a tool pusher on the workovers. Fun work. Enjoyed it so much. It was never about the money. Never!
Go try it some time. For one day I dare you. I guarantee you won’t last a week. I would have you begging crying for your mommy. Because you are not a true American, you won’t push on because everyone in the world depends on you. You don’t have the fucking heart. If you did. Things would be alot different huh?
My apologize deeply. Because of my dumb fuck for father’s coming over seas because they wanted something better for there children . Atleast that’s what they teach in history. Pirates, bullies and fucking thieves.
Our for father’s took this land from the real free. The native American s Indians I’m sorry. Land of the free united we stand. Be a proud american…. WHY have any of us bought into your shit for so long is a great trick you can get away with for only so long. You fucks! How dare you make me believe in you for so long. Oh ya! I remember! You make us live in fear of each other. Racism, descrimination, hate for no reason. Make up laws as you go. It’s ok though. You can vote. Fuck you….. I vote fuck your laws. Every one of them. I don’t believe you are looking out for me and my family. So why should I worry about you! Never again motherfuckers. Land of the free my ass. We are some dumb ass Americans if you believe in this country still. Taxes to your kings or else! I will make an example they say. Hell I say go take it in the ass congress. Bitchs. Go fuck your self. I have no land to fight for and nowhere to go. But come to my front door step and I will defend my family no matter against you. That much I assure.
Your No longer once oilfield American citizen. A proud father
For this is I Daniel norton born a citizen of America
Say fuck you. You pushed me to far
FUCK AMERICANS and CONGRESS alike that get rich off my sacrifices for my family. YOU ARE THIEVES and BULLIES…….. MY number 1 TERRORIST threat. Im coming. Because I’m a father defending what I believe in. You have no right to my earnings and never have. Bitchs.
Sincerely,
The one mother fucker……. Daniel norton.
Please come take some more.
You can thank Gov. Kasich and the rest of the Republicans in the state who froze all renewable energy proposals. It’s just like Ohioans to be OK with pipelines until it comes through their backyard. This is what you get for relying on the Republicans. Businesses over people every chance they get and now that you’ve elected Donald, you can see how he is stacking the deck with other private billionaires too. Wow, talk about voting against your own best interests…
David Price and Answe : It states in the 2nd paragraph that it is a natural gas pipeline.
“As far as Northeast Ohio is concerned, the natural gas pipeline is planned to run through . . .”
If only people knew the real story the Nexus pipeline is a Canadian utility because they have passed laws to make it illegal to get the oil from their own Canadian tar Sands because of its ecological impact on the environment. Therefore American citizens in the United States are losing their land and subsidizing the loss of that land through their taxes, land loss and the substities that we pay to “Public Utilities” sense it cost more to mine then they make in profits. That’s right you are paying out of pocket for a oil company to take your land and ship the oil that comes from the United States of America over to Canada. Congratulations! By the way there is never been a pipeline built in human history that has not leaked. To say it will have no impact on the environment is just ludicrous. The toxic gasses and oils leaked by these companies will destroy wildlife our watersheds, fish and fauna, as well as humans. Wake Up World #wakeupworld