Maryland Puts Proposed Potomac River Gas Pipeline on Hold

SEATTLE (Oil Monster): The Maryland Department of the Environment has apparently pressed the pause button on its decision whether to issue a water quality certification on a proposed natural gas pipeline to run underneath the Potomac River from Maryland to West Virginia.

With the March 15 deadline now here, Maryland Secretary of the Environment Ben Grumbles issued a written statement Thursday, which appeared to suggest the project merited further review.

“Maryland will require any project of this nature to meet our stringent standards to ensure protection of the environment and public health,” Grumbles said. “The Maryland Department of the Environment is working to complete a robust review of this proposed project, and we will insist that any energy facility or infrastructure project that moves forward complies with our state environmental safeguards.”

On Feb. 14, Grumbles sent a letter to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers asking the agency to withhold its judgment on the application made by Columbia Gas Transmission LLC, part of TransCanada, until the MDE can submit special conditions on water quality to be included in the Corps’ authorization.

Meanwhile, environmental groups protested in front of the Capitol building in Annapolis for the second consecutive day. Five protesters were arrested Wednesday by Maryland State Police.

The 3½-mile portion of a natural gas pipeline would run west of Hancock and 100 feet under the Potomac River and C&O Canal towpath.

The 8-inch-diameter pipeline would run from an existing pipeline in Pennsylvania and link to the proposed Mountaineer Gas pipeline that would extend into West Virginia.

“The public has raised some concerns about the impact of this project on the environment and public health,” said Grumbles in his letter to Col. Edward D. Chamberlayne, commander and district engineer of Baltimore District of the Army Corps of Engineers. “The DE has identified potential water quality and public interest factors that may justify the imposition of special conditions in the Copás authorization.”

Grumbles added: “Accordingly, I respectfully request that the Corps withhold its determination on the application until the DE has an opportunity to propose special conditions for inclusion in the Copás authorization.”

Pipeline opponents say it could affect thousands of area residents who rely on the Potomac for drinking water.

 Courtesy: www.fredericknewspost.com