Ruby Pipeline

Adam Christensen
Ruby Pipeline
Brigham City locals are up in arms about a proposed natural gas pipeline that would cross four states, Utah included. And time is running out for those who want to have their say in the issue.
According to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), a pre-filing environmental review process began on the project proposed by Ruby Pipeline LLC, an affiliate of El Paso Corporation. This process included a ‘scoping period’ that would be used to gather public input about environmental concerns with the project. The scoping period, which began on Mar. 28, will end on April 30.
Several scoping meetings with intent to collect public comments on environmental issues were scheduled by FERC and according to FERC a notice was sent to potentially affected landowners and to federal, state, and local government agencies as well as elected officials and other interested parties.
Even so, many have been frustrated with lack of notice for these meetings. “Ruby never contacted County officials about the proposed pipeline and still has not done so,” said Shaun Peck, a Brigham City attorney, “and (Ruby) failed to give County officials notice of the local meeting until the day before the meeting, making attendance a problem.”
Another beef from locals who attended the Brigham City meeting on April 17 was a route change that took place only weeks before the meeting. According to Peck, many potentially affected parties’ concerns were diffused because Ruby’s now favored northern route was earlier described as only an alternate route.
At the meeting, Brigham City government official Jim Buchanan expressed concern for landmarks that would be crossed such as the Transcontinental Railroad and the Mormon Historic Trail. Buchanan alluded to the route change being proposed because the southern route would cross the Oregon Trail.
Many locals fear what geologists and the Utah Geological Survey have been saying for years. “Maps provided by these agencies to the public on the internet have truly identified this area to be geologically 'hot' from an earthquake perspective.” Said local Frank R. Scheubel.
According to several maps the ruby pipeline project would cross some 10 to 15 fault lines, including the infamous Wasatch fault line, a 200-mile-long active fault.
Although the purpose of the Brigham City meeting was to gather environmental comments and concerns, many landowners and others in attendance wanted to know what benefit, if any, the pipeline would bring to Utah.
According to El Paso Corp. the end users of the natural gas transported in the ruby pipeline will be growing natural gas markets in California and Oregon. This concern was also expressed in a statement submitted to FERC by affected landowner Bryan Ward. “The residents of Northern Utah and Nevada will see nothing but the mess before, during, and after construction while those living in Southern Oregon and Northern California, who have consistently blocked power plants and infrastructure to benefit themselves, reap the benefits of less expensive natural gas.”
According to Ruby Pipeline LLC, the ruby pipeline as currently proposed would include approximately 680 miles of 42-inch diameter pipeline and would pass through sections of Cache National Forest before crossing the Wasatch Front at Brigham City.
At the Brigham City meeting, FERC officials were clear that these scoping meetings were not the end of public involvement with the project, as they are still pre-filing. According to those officials, another scoping period will begin when El Paso Corp. files official in early 2009.
In order to become involved in the pre-filing process and give input about any environmental issues concerning the ruby pipeline project go to www.ferc.gov and e-register. You will then be able to “Comment on Filing” or make a “Quick Comment” on a project. Comments submitted electronically must be submitted by April 30, 2008.


I hope that if you see this before April 30, you'll give your two cents to FERC. Whether you like Cache National or not, this pipeline has almost no benefit for anyone affected.