[IndianaTrails] Pipeline across Indiana
Kevin Heber
kevin at indianatrails.org
Thu Sep 21 10:30:50 PDT 2006
The frustrating thing about the REX Pipeline is that this should have been a
perfect match for Ray Irvin's much touted "Pipe Dreams" scenario, in which
subsurface utilities (like a pipeline) would provide revenue for surface
trails (this concept is described in the
<http://www.in.gov/dnr/trailsplan/> state's master trails plan draft
document, online). A private utilities investor would partner with INDOT to
make it work. With REX (the private investor) this could have all come
together for the B&O Trail out west of Hendricks County, where frankly,
there is not much hope of a trail on its own without superlocal
intervention.
The only glitch in this scenario was, REX had federal authority and thus the
freedom to pursue this regardless of any local or state gov'ts. And so they
did, big-time. Like certain other big federal programs, FERC needs to be
spanked in my opinion for operating in such a hasty, haphazard manner.
In fact, REX has already begun condemning and procuring land without final
route approval from the FERC (Federal Energy Regulatory Commission). But I
don't see this as a show-stopper to changing the route for, say, ~25 miles
out of the whole 1600+ mile project. I hope our state folks haven't thrown
in the towel on this. As we say, nothing's final until it is built. It
would be nice for someone to give us a first-hand update here.
Kevin Heber
-----Original Message-----
From: Greg Midgley [ <mailto:greg at indianatrails.org>
mailto:greg at indianatrails.org]
Sent: Monday, September 18, 2006 6:27 PM
To: list at indianatrails.org
Cc: Ray R. Irvin
Subject: Re: [IndianaTrails] RE : Pipeline across Indiana
In order to catch the attention of Rockies Express, it would probably be
prudent to have in hand a very specific route proposal so that they can
visualize exactly what's being proposed and how that would impact their
route selection east and west of the area of interest.
For example, it may be a non-starter to propose a pipeline route into the
center of Indianapolis, so showing a point outside of the city where the
pipeline and trail routes could diverge would highlight that serious thought
has been put into it.
Greg
....
Greg Midgley
National Road Heritage Trail, Inc.
www.nrht.org
greg at indianatrails.org
cell: 317-503-1101
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Re: [IndianaTrails] RE : Pipeline across Indiana
Date: Mon, 18 Sep 2006 11:30:35 -0400
From: dmvirgil at earthlink.net <dmvirgil at earthlink.net>
To: Kevin Heber <kevin at indianatrails.org>, list at indianatrails.org
CC: Ray R. Irvin <RIrvin at indot.in.gov>
> Since Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) is a federal agency,
> I
> assume that individuals are like an ant fighting an elephant. We need
> someone with more clout helping us fight the battle. I suggest we call
> write Gov. Mitch Daniels. We put our time and effort into the state
> wide trails plan and here's a hugh opportunity to bring one of the 6
> visionary state trails, the B&O Trail, into existance.
> I understand that the Rockies Express Pipeline will be spending over $3
> million per mile to put the pipeline in. They can use someone of that
> to use eminent domain and save the B&O corridor in one piece.
> Here's the Governor's address:
> Governor Mitch Daniels
> 200 W. Washington St. Rm 206
> Indianapolis 46204
>
> Also I understand that Cleo Duncan from District 67, from Greensburg
> is
> very interested in this. I think her number is 812-663-5595.
>
> Diana Virgil
>
>
> President
> B&O Trail Association
> dmvirgil at earthlink.net < <mailto:dmvirgil at earthlink.net>
mailto:dmvirgil at earthlink.net> 317-852-3838
> www.BOtrail.org < <http://www.BOtrail.org> http://www.BOtrail.org>
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Kevin Heber < <mailto:kevin at indianatrails.org>
mailto:kevin at indianatrails.org>
> To: list at indianatrails.org < <mailto:list at indianatrails.org>
mailto:list at indianatrails.org>
> Cc: Ray R. Irvin < <mailto:RIrvin at indot.in.gov>
mailto:RIrvin at indot.in.gov>
> Sent: 9/17/2006 11:36:05 PM
> Subject: [IndianaTrails] RE : Pipeline across Indiana
>
> See more about this in the article below and on the page
> <http://www.rexpipeline.com/east_faqs.html>
http://www.rexpipeline.com/east_faqs.html. My guess is that we need
> some high power and trail-friendly congressmen pronto to explain the
> trail opportunities and $-saving benefits to Federal Energy
> Regulatory Commission (FERC) before they make their decision on the
> final route in 2008. Now having seen the maps, it
> looks distressingly close to the B&O Trail alignment. The B&O
> already has utilities underneath. It would be utterly and
> completely absurd to carve a new alignment for a pipeline with the
> B&O only miles away.
>
> We should get the national RTC involved, since they are in
> Washington and seem to respond well to these sorts of challenges.
> I'm going to make calls Monday. If someone has any inroads to our
> US Senators/Reps and/or FERC, I hope those are being pursued as
> well. We're not being typical NIMBY's here; we're being smart
> opportunists. Is there an acronym for Don't Be Stupid In My
> BackYard?
>
> Kevin
> < <http://www.indianatrails.org/> http://www.indianatrails.org/>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Hall Virgil [ <mailto:hallvirgil at earthlink.net>
mailto:hallvirgil at earthlink.net]
> Sent: Friday, September 15, 2006 10:04 PM
> To: Kevin Heber
> Cc: Ray R. Irvin
> Subject: FW: [IndianaTrails] Pipeline across Indiana
>
> Kevin,
>
> The Rockies Express Pipeline will cross the B&O Trail corridor
> twice near Montezuma, Indiana and runs closely parallel to it
> for about 15 miles in Indiana.
>
> Although the CSX (formerly B&O) corridor is still in use in
> Illinois, it runs parallel to it for at least 65 miles in
> Illinois. I would image that CSX would like to earn
> rent/easement payments for sharing their railroad corridor as
> they have done with the fiber-optic cable under the B&O Trail /
> CSX corridor.
>
> Seems like the Rockies Express Pipeline professed intention and
> pledge to use existing utility corridors is being ignored.
>
> Hall Virgil
>
>
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
> --
>
>
>
> Pipeline concerns sought
>
> THE ENQUIRER
>
> Butler County residents can voice concerns and ask questions
> tonight about a proposed cross-country natural-gas pipeline that
> would run through the northern, rural part of the county into
> Warren County.
>
> The 7 p.m. meeting will take place at the Edgewood High School
> auditorium, 5005 Oxford State Road, Trenton.
>
> The multibillion-dollar Rockies Express Pipeline would extend
> 1,663 miles from Colorado to eastern Ohio. About 67 percent of
> the proposed route follows existing easements already granted
> for other utilities. Adjustments to the pipeline's path are
> possible before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission takes
> action on the project, possibly in early 2008.
>
> Rockies company representatives are examining possible sites
> now, and affected property owners have been notified.
>
> FERC decides where the pipeline would go and weighs a multitude
> of factors, ranging from environmental impact to preservation of
> culturally significant sites
>
>
>
>
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
> --
>
> From: list-bounces at indianatrails.org
> [ <mailto:list-bounces at indianatrails.org>
mailto:list-bounces at indianatrails.org] On Behalf Of Kevin Heber
> Sent: Thursday, September 14, 2006 5:27 PM
> To: list at indianatrails.org
> Subject: [IndianaTrails] Pipeline across Indiana
>
>
>
> Below is a message I received from a concerned horseback rider
> in Franklin. Does anyone have more info on this cross-state
> pipeline? I've heard stories about this but am similarly
> frustrated that there is seemingly nothing that we can do to
> steer the course of the pipeline toward planned trail alignments
> such as the National Road Heritage Trail. They apparently have
> federal authority just like the RR's did (and still do) when
> they were laying new track. Thanks for info anyone cares to
> share. ~Kevin
>
>
>
> -----Original Message----
>
> Sent: Thursday, September 14, 2006 2:38
>
> comments: Rockies Express Pipeline is seeking permission from
> FERC to run a 42-inch natural gas pipeline across Indiana. Go to
> their website and look at their county maps (Rockiesexpress.com)
> in particular Owen County and Putnam County where there are
> existing rail trails with more proposed. I went to a meeting in
> Greenwood on Tuesday night. this meeting was run by FERC
> subcontractors who are doing the Environmental Assessment. Most
> Johnson County residents are opposing this pipeline. I submitted
> comments to FERC representatives regarding the impact this
> pipeline will have on recreational trails. Just thought I would
> give you a heads up. I do not think there has been enough public
> input on this and not all the proper state agencies are aware of
> the proposed pipeline.
>
> < <http://www.indianatrails.org/> http://www.indianatrails.org/>
>
>
>
>
>
> OKI is a council of local governments, business organizations
> and community groups
>
>
>
>
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
> --
>
>
>
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