State Rep. Gretchen Driskell (D-Saline) will host an informational meeting on the ET Rover Pipeline project on Sunday, Sept. 21 from 7-8:30 p.m. at Creekside Intermediate School cafeteria, 2615 Baker Road in Dexter.
She has invited local government officials and concerned residents to join her to discuss the proposed natural gas pipeline project.
Lima Township Supervisor Craig Maier said Tuesday night that he plans to be there and encourages all township residents to attend as well.
There’s a plan for a 42-inch pipeline, which will run up from the Ohio border through Lenawee County and pass through Western Washtenaw County, including the townships of Manchester, Bridgewater, Freedom, Lima and Dexter on its way to Sarnia, Canada.
The proposed natural gas transmission pipeline is being planned by a subsidiary of a Texas-based company Energy Transfer Partners.
Originally, Maier said, company representatives were receptive to his requests for information and he had encouraged residents to sign letters sent by the company, which would allow surveyors to access their property.
Now, he says, “They are not forthcoming with the township,” adding he’s telling residents, “Do not discuss the project with them. Do not sign anything and do not be intimidated by their threats to have police come to your homes.”
“The first thing we received was all very innocent,” Maier said, adding, “The current document and their behavior” has prompted township officials to consult with two attorneys.
“At this point, the township is opposed to the pipeline and we are going to discuss adopting a resolution that has been adopted in Oakland County at the next township board meeting,” he said.
Plus, Maier said, he’s repeatedly requested a copy of the pipeline map for Lima Township Hall for residents to inspect, but company representatives have been “less than helpful.”
He was told there are maps “at the Ann Arbor Library. That’s not very convenient for residents to go to look at them,” he said.
He said he’s asked to get copies of the proposed pipeline maps into the Chelsea, Dexter and Manchester libraries.
Driskell has invited township officials, affected property owners, and concerned citizens to attend the meeting.
“There’s a great, great deal of concern about this,” Maier said. “We want to know where the need is for this pipeline.”
He said he plans to provide township residents with pertinent website links where residents can comment about the project at sites such as this one.
