County hears update on gas pipeline

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

County Commissioners heard an update from Public Affairs Director Allen Fores with the Rockies Express (REX) Pipeline at their Monday evening meeting.

The construction end of the project kicked off recently in Putnam County. More than 500 crewmembers will be in the local area for at least the next three months working on the project.

"All the land tracts have been purchased and the regulatory hurdles cleared," reported Fore.

He went to explain that first they will begin with the clearing of rights of way. This is followed by the pipe being distributed to the areas, being installed and finalized with the restoration of the right of way.

"Our hope is that this will have a positive effect on the area," said Fore

Among the reported benefits over the long and short term is the increased property tax that REX-East will pay for the pipeline and compressor stations. States also receive revenue from sales and use taxes during the construction.

New employment opportunities for local residents during both the construction and operation phases of the project may be available.

With construction already under way, restaurants, hotels, motels and retailers are reporting increased activity from the construction crews.

"Overall," said Fore, "local economic development efforts could be enhanced by having the opportunity to access a reliable source of natural gas."

When the project is complete, the 42 inch-diameter steel pipeline system will carry between 1.5 billion and 2.0 billion cubic feet of gas per day from the supply rich areas of Colorado and Wyoming to natural gas markets in the Midwest and Eastern United States.

There will be a local distribution point in Putnam County when the REX Pipeline interconnects with the Panhandle Pipe north of S.R. 36 on the south side of 850 North.

There is currently 90 miles of pipe stored at the company's site on U.S. 231 near the intersection of U.S. 36.

"These sites are designed to get heavy loads to destinations as quickly as possible," said Fore.

Bainbridge Fire Chief Richard Woods asked about information for emergency personnel training in regard to the pipeline.

Fore explained that special training would be given to all emergency personnel and he would be in touch with all of them to set it up.

Information about the REX pipeline can be accessed online at www.rexpipeline.com

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  • When did Woody move to Bainbridge Fire Chief spot?

    -- Posted by kubotafan on Tue, Aug 19, 2008, at 5:20 AM
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