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CANYONVILLE — Douglas County commissioners voiced opposition today to plans to route a natural gas pipeline through the county.
Commissioners Doug Robertson and Joe Laurance said they were opposed to construction of the proposed 36-inch line between Coos Bay and Malin.
“I don’t think Oregon is going to get anything out of it,” Robertson said during a Lunch With the Commissioners session attended by about 40 people at the Feedlot Restaurant.
Williams Gas Co., which is seeking permission to build the 223-mile pipeline, has ignored legitimate concerns that have been raised, Robertson said. A number of county residents have opposed the pipeline over safety concerns.
Commissioner Marilyn Kittelman said she has not taken a public stand on the issue, but noted that in numerous public meetings she has attended that not one person testified in favor of the pipeline. With the county’s status as a cooperating agency in the process, she said she saw her role as making sure that the comments of people opposed to the pipeline were reflected in the record of the federal agency considering the pipeline application.
Days Creek resident Liz Matteson said she had concerns about the integrity of the pipeline. She noted that a leaking natural gas pipeline in Texas in May caused a fire.
And last October, an elderly couple living in a town east of Plano, Texas, were killed following a natural gas explosion linked to a faulty pipe fitting. Last week, the Texas Railroad Commission, the agency that oversees the state’s natural gas distribution system, asked companies for detailed information on the fitting and any problems they’ve experienced.
Following the explosion, Atmos Energy, the company that operated the pipeline, reported 24 other leaks in the area that they identified and repaired.
Robertson praised Tenmile resident Frank Adams, who strongly told U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden during a February town hall meeting in Roseburg that he needed to speak out against the pipeline. Wyden, who that day told Adams there was little he could do because the responsibility for pipeline siting rested solely with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, has become increasingly outspoken on the pipeline.
“He heard that message at that meeting,” Robertson told Adams, who attended Tuesday’s gathering.
Robertson said the commissioners will work to get Gov. Ted Kulongoski to speak out against the pipeline. He said the governor may not have any direct involvement in the application process, but said his voice could help dissuade the company from pursuing its application in Oregon.
“If they feel enough pressure, they’ll go somewhere else,” Robertson said.
On another subject, Canyonville resident Harvey Denison asked the commissioners what could be done to get sidewalks installed between downtown Canyonville and the Seven Feathers Casino & Hotel Resort operated by the Cow Creek Band of the Umpqua Tribe of Indians.
He said previous studies showed the sidewalks would make Canyonville safer and more inviting for people gambling at the casino.
“This is something that Canyonville really, really needs to grow,” Denison said.
Former Mayor Gloria McGinnis said she was told several years ago that the county had plans to construct sidewalks there next year. However, she said she never heard anything more about it.
Robertson said the county might be able to finance the project through money given to Canyonville and other cities through its Aid to Cities program funded through the federal safety net.
“We’ll certainly look to see if we can move forward on it,” Robertson said.
• You can reach reporter John Sowell at 957-4209 or by e-mail at jsowell@newsreview.info.
Commissioners Doug Robertson and Joe Laurance said they were opposed to construction of the proposed 36-inch line between Coos Bay and Malin.
“I don’t think Oregon is going to get anything out of it,” Robertson said during a Lunch With the Commissioners session attended by about 40 people at the Feedlot Restaurant.
Williams Gas Co., which is seeking permission to build the 223-mile pipeline, has ignored legitimate concerns that have been raised, Robertson said. A number of county residents have opposed the pipeline over safety concerns.
Commissioner Marilyn Kittelman said she has not taken a public stand on the issue, but noted that in numerous public meetings she has attended that not one person testified in favor of the pipeline. With the county’s status as a cooperating agency in the process, she said she saw her role as making sure that the comments of people opposed to the pipeline were reflected in the record of the federal agency considering the pipeline application.
Days Creek resident Liz Matteson said she had concerns about the integrity of the pipeline. She noted that a leaking natural gas pipeline in Texas in May caused a fire.
And last October, an elderly couple living in a town east of Plano, Texas, were killed following a natural gas explosion linked to a faulty pipe fitting. Last week, the Texas Railroad Commission, the agency that oversees the state’s natural gas distribution system, asked companies for detailed information on the fitting and any problems they’ve experienced.
Following the explosion, Atmos Energy, the company that operated the pipeline, reported 24 other leaks in the area that they identified and repaired.
Robertson praised Tenmile resident Frank Adams, who strongly told U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden during a February town hall meeting in Roseburg that he needed to speak out against the pipeline. Wyden, who that day told Adams there was little he could do because the responsibility for pipeline siting rested solely with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, has become increasingly outspoken on the pipeline.
“He heard that message at that meeting,” Robertson told Adams, who attended Tuesday’s gathering.
Robertson said the commissioners will work to get Gov. Ted Kulongoski to speak out against the pipeline. He said the governor may not have any direct involvement in the application process, but said his voice could help dissuade the company from pursuing its application in Oregon.
“If they feel enough pressure, they’ll go somewhere else,” Robertson said.
On another subject, Canyonville resident Harvey Denison asked the commissioners what could be done to get sidewalks installed between downtown Canyonville and the Seven Feathers Casino & Hotel Resort operated by the Cow Creek Band of the Umpqua Tribe of Indians.
He said previous studies showed the sidewalks would make Canyonville safer and more inviting for people gambling at the casino.
“This is something that Canyonville really, really needs to grow,” Denison said.
Former Mayor Gloria McGinnis said she was told several years ago that the county had plans to construct sidewalks there next year. However, she said she never heard anything more about it.
Robertson said the county might be able to finance the project through money given to Canyonville and other cities through its Aid to Cities program funded through the federal safety net.
“We’ll certainly look to see if we can move forward on it,” Robertson said.
• You can reach reporter John Sowell at 957-4209 or by e-mail at jsowell@newsreview.info.
