Akron.com

Green dedicating more funds to keep pipeline out



Green is sending a message to NEXUS officials — the city is willing to devote significant resources to fight the proposed pipeline.
To further ongoing efforts to keep a high-pressure gas transmitting pipeline from running through the heart of their community, City Council convened for a special meeting May 2, advancing a legal approach for the sake of Green’s economic state, the environment and the safety of city residents.
Green City Council approved a resolution to enter into an agreement with McMahon DeGulis LLP, a legal services firm specializing in environmental law, to assist the city and Law Director Diane Calta with a plan to continue to oppose the approval of the NEXUS pipeline in Green. Locally, the pipeline also would run through New Franklin.
Council unanimously approved the legislation, which authorizes the city to spend up to $100,000 for services rendered, said Communications Director Valerie Wolford.
McMahon DeGulis LLP has offices in Cleveland, Columbus and Cincinnati, she said.
“We need to act expeditiously as a city to deal with the pipeline,” said Council President Chris Humphrey (at large).
He hopes the approved agreement highlights to the public how serious the city leaders take the issue.
The proposed 36-inch, 256-mile pipeline to be constructed by DTE Energy Co. and Spectra Energy Corp., which was bought by Enbridge Inc. of Canada in September, would transport up to 1.5 billion cubic feet of natural gas per day and would run from Kensington to Ontario, Canada.
At the end of 2016, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), the NEXUS project overseer, released its environmental impact statement accepting the proposed pipeline route.
While $100,000 is a significant appropriation, Humphrey said the appropriation “is necessary to wage the battle that needs to be waged to oppose the pipeline.”
If the pipeline does come through Green, the economic impact would be significant, costing the city up to $150 million in 30 to 50 years, he said.
The pipeline is proposed to run closely to three Green Local Schools buildings and Green Memorial Stadium, Portage Lakes Career Center, Ariss and Greensburg parks, the Cleveland Museum of Natural History’s Singer Bog and Nimisila Reservoir, causing numerous environmental and safety concerns, city officials have said.
“I feel strongly that we are stewards of this Earth and we have the responsibility to stop disturbing these natural areas,” said Councilman John “Skip” Summerville (Ward 4).
Councilman Stephen Dyer (at large) said he hopes NEXUS officials get the “message loud and clear.”
“We don’t want a high explosive pipeline running through our backyards,” he said. “We are serious about keeping it out and helping reroute it.”
In early 2015, Green proposed rerouting the pipeline south of Canton and Massillon so it impacted less populated areas of the state and had less environmental impact on wetlands and park areas.
Even though FERC rejected the alternate route, city officials would like to see pipeline officials still select it.
Humphrey said Green is asking NEXUS officials to take the proposed southern route, “the route of common sense,” as it would have significantly less economic and environmental impact and run through less populated areas.