Groups urge Kernersville aldermen to oppose gas pipeline

Representatives of two environmental groups appealed to the Kernersville Board of Aldermen this week to pass a resolution opposing a methane gas pipeline project proposed to come through the area.

Jessica Mendez Rowe, the events and partnerships manager of the Piedmont Environmental Alliance, said that taking action against the proposed Transco Southeast Supply Enhancement Project would be crucial for the state's consideration of whether to issue environmental permits allowing the project.

"Essentially, we are on the precipice of action with the Department of Environmental Quality and with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, and this is why we believe imminent action from this board is really crucial. We are hoping that the board will pass the resolution against this pipeline so that the agencies here can consider and incorporate your comments and your concerns into their decision," Rowe said.

The public comment period for the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality's closes Oct. 6.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission plans to open a 30-day comment period on a draft environmental assessment in November.

"We ask for you to put your support behind community members that are concerned about more gas being piped through the community that is not going to be used in the community, and we hope you will prioritize those folks here," Rowe said. "We are urging each of you to support a resolution in opposition to this proposed pipeline, and we ask that once a resolution is passed, that the town clerk file it with the FERC and in any state commenting periods with DEQ. These are simple acts that will really speak volumes on behalf of our community and the landowners that are in the direct pathway of this unnecessary project. At this point, saying nothing would be approving the project."

Because the proposed pipeline would be near three other pipelines, the proposed pipeline's route puts nearby properties in a hazardous area, said Shelley Robbins of the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy.

"The area in Kernersville, off I-40 near the right of way, is slated for a lot of residential and commercial development for the comprehensive plan. Now, there are currently three large-diameter, high-pressure pipelines in that right of way, and each one is only 25 feet from the other one. Whereas the Interstate Natural Gas Association of America recommends 50 feet between pipelines in order to ensure construction safety. This is area is what is called a high-consequence area. An accident with ignition would cause loss of life and property," Robbins said.

Novant Health Kernersville Medical Center and the Kernersville VA Clinic are close to the right of way, and Paul Kelly, a Vietnam veteran, told the board that the proposed pipeline would endanger them.

"I go to that (VA) medical center. There's a bunch of veterans that need that center, and I suspect I'm not the only veteran in this room who uses it and appreciates it. When I was at a meeting about this pipeline some months ago and heard that the medical center was in the blast zone of this pipeline, I was furious. How could that be allowed?" Kelly said. "I don't see the point of putting in a pipeline for no really good reason at the risk of destroying or injuring or in any way damaging other people's property up, to and including a VA medical center that so many hundreds of thousands of veterans use."