NEXUS Pipeline / Concern over gas odorization permit waiver application.

Last week U.S.  Representative Debbie Dingell submitted a letter to Howard Mac McMillian who is Executive Director of the Pipeline Hazardous Materials Safety Administration U.S Department of Transportation in reference to the NEXUS Pipeline. In the letter Debbie Dingell stated her concern and disapproval over the fact that Spectra Energy, who is leading the project, applied fo a special permit to waive gas odorization requirements for the NEXUS Pipeline.

According to the letter sent by Dingell, "While Spectra argues that odorizing gas in the pipeline will be cost prohibitive and technologically difficult, it is critical to ensure that the public has proper input into these decisions and public safety is always protected."

According to the NEXUS website their proposal is to,"Construct a 255 mile interstate natural gas transmission pipeline to deliver 1.5 billion cubic feet per day of clean-burning natural gas from Eastern Ohio to an already existing pipeline in Southeastern Michigan." The pipeline would eventually end at an Ontario storage facility.

According to the letter written by Dingell to the Department of Transportation,"Not only would removing the odorization requirements endanger the health, safety and welfare of local residents, it would also be in conflict with the U.S. Department of Transportation's commitment to addressing environmental justice in low-income and minority populations."

Jeff Brown
Founder/Editor
Purple Walrus Press.