Marcellus gas pipeline may be built in Peters
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Officials in Peters soon may be dealing with an aspect of the Marcellus Shale natural gas development boom that they hadn't anticipated: pipelines.
Peters council members Monday night directed township administrators to begin developing an ordinance to address gas well pipelines. Township Manager Michael Silvestri reported that some property owners in the township have signed easement agreements for a gas pipeline.
According to maps submitted by a company called M3 Midstream Momentum, easements have been obtained from property owners along Venetia Road near Railroad Street and from those with property along McClelland Road, including through the Finleyville Cemetery. The easements are 50 feet wide with a 12-inch pipeline indicated, according to maps.
Mr. Silvestri said he believes the pipeline will connect gas wells being drilled by Chesapeake Energy in neighboring Union and Nottingham.
According to M3 Midstream Momentum's website, the line is part of its "Appalachia Gathering System," 130 miles of large diameter pipeline spanning Washington and Greene counties and parts of northern West Virginia. It is expected to be operational during the first half of 2012.
With offices in Texas, Colorado, West Virginia and Richeyville, Washington County, the company has been developing gas gathering systems -- such as pipelines and compressor stations -- since 2004, according to its website.
Though Peters council in August approved a local drilling ordinance that limited gas wells to sites with at least 40 acres, along with other restrictions governing gas compressor stations and processing plants, the measure did not provide guidelines for pipeline construction.
Mr. Silvestri told council members that pipelines are considered "a use not provided for," and if a company were to apply for construction permits, such a request would probably be forwarded to the township zoning hearing board.
"We currently have a gap in our ordinance," he said.
The possibility of a pipeline was broached by a citizens group which unsuccessfully sought to have Marcellus Shale gas well drilling banned through a voter referendum earlier this month. The ban would have prohibited wells, pipelines and other drilling infrastructure.
Though members of the group had questioned council on several occasions regarding rumors about a pipeline, no action was taken.
The township fought the ban, saying it could leave taxpayers on the hook for millions of dollars in court costs and judgements if it had been challenged by drilling companies who hold Marcellus leases with 774 property owners. The referendum was defeated by a 4 to 1 margin.
Mr. Silvestri told council the cost to taxpayers for the referendum was almost $12,000, including $4,030 in required legal advertising costs and another $7,942 to Granite Communications for designing and mailing two brochures opposing the referendum.
First Published November 29, 2011 5:20 am
