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Lima Township discusses proposed ET Rover pipeline

The Lima Township Board of Trustees listens to citizen concerns about proposed pipeline.
The Lima Township Board of Trustees listens to citizen concerns about proposed pipeline.

Over 50 people attended the Lima Township board meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 30 to learn more about a natural gas pipeline that Texas-based Energy Transfer (ET) Rover is proposing to put through the township en route to Sarnia, Canada.

State Rep. Gretchen Driskell (D-Saline) was on hand to answer questions, but said that many residents know as much as she does at this stage. She said the most proactive action township residents can take is to comment on the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) website.

But, it involves a bit of work Go to the FERC eComment website: ferc.gov/docs-filing/ecomment.asp, click on the eComment button near the top, which leads to an authorization page.

Fill out the required fields, and click on “Authorize”.

FERC will email a link; click on this link in the email. This should lead to a page on the FERC site where you need to type in docket number PF14-14 (no spaces). After entering this docket number, click on the search button. Now click on the blue cross in the far right column, under the heading labelled “Select”. Enter a comment in the comment box, and click on “Send Comment”.

Driskell said, “We’re scrambling to get as much information as possible, and I’m trying to put together a meeting with the affected township supervisors in our county, with the pipeline people to really get clarity on what they’re doing, because there is a lot of different information out there.”

Driskell also said that this proposed project is in the “pre-filing” stage, and that authorization needs to be obtained from FERC it to continue.

More information can be found about this proposed project on the Washtenaw County website at the following address: ewashtenaw.org/government/boc/et-rover-citizen-meeting-information.

Driskell also said that residents who are contacted by ET Rover should document the contact, as this company is apparently using questionable tactics to gain access to private property. She stressed that residents should feel free to contact her with concerns and questions related to this proposed project. Her contact information is as follows:
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 517-373-0828

Rep. Gretchen Driskell (D-Saline) with a concerned resident. following the meeting
Rep. Gretchen Driskell (D-Saline) with a concerned resident. following the meeting

Township Supervisor Craig Maeir voiced his concerns about ET Rover’s questionable tactics. “There were comments made to one resident (by ET Rover) that I found very intrusive and very offensive, to signify to that resident that ‘We are here, we have police officers or security, and we are armed.”

The Lima Township Board also unanimously adopted a resolution opposing the proposed pipeline. In part it says, “The Lima Township Board of Trustees does oppose the proposed construction of the ET Rover natural gas pipeline, due to lack of necessity, and lack of serving the common good of Lima Township, and the majority of Michigan residents.”

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