Diane Raver

Staff Writer

BROOKVILLE – Rockies Express Pipeline (REX) officials once again tried to plead their case in Franklin County. This time they came before the Area Plan Commission to try to convince members to grant them a special exception to construct a 42-inch natural gas transmission pipeline across Salt Creek, Metamora, Butler, Brookville and Whitewater townships.

On March 19, about 70 people attended the meeting in the Franklin County High School auditorium. REX spokesman Allen Fore began by saying the proposed $4.9 billion dollar project for REX East will encompass about 638 miles from Audrain County, Mo., to Monroe County, Ohio, with about 28 miles through Franklin County, including 31 county road and two state highway crossings.

He added that the company is governed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and if all goes according to schedule, construction could start this June and be fully operational by June 2009.

REX permitting agent Chris Basista explained the right-of-way for this project is a 50-foot permanent easement. “The property can continue to be used for agricultural purposes,” he indicated.

“When we initiate a project, our engineering team looks at constructability; environmental and biological issues; distance of alignment; public input” from landowners, state, local and FERC officials; “topography; soil conditions; current and known future land use and development; and accessibility” when determining the pipeline’s route.

Jim Thompson, REX environmental field project manager, emphasized safety is a top priority. “We will coordinate with local safety response teams .... and how to handle any kind of emergency” that may occur during and after the pipeline’s construction.

Joe Gillespie, county surveyor and FCAPC member, stated, “I’m interested in why you’re applying for the special exception .... By our zoning code, utilities are exempt from being required to get a special exception.”

Basista replied, “We are a pipeline holder at this point in the process.”

Larry Franzman, FCAPC executive director, later remarked, “In the State of Indiana, if you are a known utility, you’re exempt” from the process of applying for a special exception. However, “They (REX) are a private transmission pipeline. They just own the pipe. Unless FERC gives them (utility) status,” they have to go through the process of getting permission.

The director asked about blasting hard rock that may be in the construction’s pathway. “How would you give notice to adjoining landowners?”

Thompson answered, “There are certain guidelines we would follow .... We estimated an approximate amount of area that may need to be blasted.”

Franzman continued, “If you do blast, I’ve heard that it affects the wells .... Has Rockies estimated what they would do” if this happens?

Thompson responded, “We do preconstruction flow testing .... and a chemical analysis preconstruction and post construction, and if we damaged them (wells), we are required to repair them.”

Attorney John Watson, who is representing Tri-Township, Franklin County and North Dearborn water companies, expressed concern about the aquifer near Brookville and why the pipeline had to go through it. “If damage is done to this aquifer, there’s no way to put a dollar amount on what it would be to fix it .... It is a fundamental issue for this entire region.” Dennis Kolb, Brookville, remarked, “I’ve been before this board many times for special exceptions and have been asked .... to answer your questions. Many of the questions that have been asked (tonight) have not been answered (by REX officials). I’m asking the board not to give them a favorable recommendation.”

Jim Suhre, Brookville, asked the company’s employees, “Can you say with a clear conscience that all moral requirements have been met? .... Would you fight it (the pipeline) going through your property?” Fore said, “No .... The vast majority of the people have worked with us .... (but) some are adamant about it.”

After listening to comments and questions for over four hours, Gillespie made a motion for FCAPC to make an unfavorable recommendation to the Board of Zoning Appeals. Stanley Monroe seconded it, and the motion passed unanimously.

Franzman said it will now go before the BZA April 9. If members of this board agree with the recommendation, REX will have to resubmit its application to continue the process.