Anthony Wayne school district voices gas pipeline concern

U.S., state regulators asked to do environmental studies

12/15/2015

Anthony Wayne Schools is the latest public entity to raise concerns about a natural-gas transmission line proposal, objecting Monday to plans for a compression station for the pipeline within its district.

It’s the latest in a growing list of school boards, village councils, and public health officials to object to plans for the 255-mile, Ohio-to-Canada NEXUS Gas Transmission pipeline.

In a notice to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Anthony Wayne Superintendent Jim Fritz told regulators he and local school board members are concerned because five of the district’s six school buildings are within a three-mile radius of the proposed location on Moosman Drive near Neapolis Waterville Road and State Rt. 24, which is in Waterville Township.

Those buildings house about 4,000 students and 300 staff members, Mr. Fritz wrote.

The board’s resolution asks FERC and the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency to do an environmental impact study and report the findings.

Whitehouse village council members also are expected to discuss the issue at today’s village council meeting, which begins at 7 p.m.

Councilman Michelle Tippie said she will ask for a resolution in support of an alternative site in a rural area near the Wood-Henry county line.

The Whitehouse council unanimously voted in opposition to the current site in November, she said.

“I don’t know if we could get rid of the pipeline entirely, but if we could at least reroute it to have as little impact on our communities, that would be an improvement,” Ms. Tippie said. “In terms of the danger zone, we’re in it.”

Whitehouse is one of several municipalities in eight Ohio counties along the proposed route to pass resolutions in opposition to various aspects of the project. Several communities and public officials also have spoken in favor of it.

On Nov. 18, Donna Woodson, Lucas County Regional Health District president, said in a letter to FERC the health district’s board has concerns about the project.

“We regret the proposed pipeline placement within our jurisdiction,” the letter said. “With the proposed pipeline come several issues that impact public health both locally and regionally. These must be addressed.”

Contact Tom Henry at: thenry@theblade.com, 419-724-6079, or via Twitter @ecowriterohio.