Talk of a natural gas pipeline running through Oak Ridge have some concerned, others believe there’s not much that can be done to stop it.
OAK RIDGE, N.C. — WFMY News 2’s Nixon Norman spent some time in Oak Ridge Friday.
She met more than a dozen people, most had no idea about the pipeline proposal. But the few who did, had a range of opinions.
Chad Gimbert has lived in Oak Ridge for nearly 30 years, where talk of a natural gas pipeline is growing.
“I’m not for or against it, I just don’t know if there’s much you can do to fight this kind of stuff,” Gimbert said.
Katie Flowers has lived in the area for two years, she said the idea of a pipeline running under the town concerns her.
“Personally, I’m not really for it. Yeah, I don’t think it’s a great thing,” Flowers said.
To be clear, this decision isn’t set in stone, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission must approve what’s called the Southeast Supply Enhancement Project.
A company called Transco wants to add over 28 miles of pipeline adjacent to existing pipelines. Gimbert points to history to help form his opinion.
“I’m aware of the pipeline and the new project. I’m aware that we have some existing infrastructure that’s been in this town for a long time and as far as I know, there’s not been any problems, issues, calamities with the existing pipelines,” Gimbert said.
Maps show these pipelines would run through the heart of Oak Ridge, on Oak Ridge Road, near the town hall and an elementary school, among other places. Something Flowers believes is a safety concern.
“Yeah, my kids go to Oak Ridge Elementary, so, you know, yeah I don’t think anybody wants that,” Flowers said.
Beyond those concerns, she has questions when it comes to actually putting these pipes in the ground, “how long it would take? how long it would be under construction?”
Transco said the pipeline addition will add to an already existing line and would pump more than 12 million gallons of natural gas a day.
Leaders said it’s meant to support a rapid population growth in the southeast.
Gimbert said it’s inevitable, “I think all of this is just part of the growth we experience here in the town and then from the pipeline’s perspective, it’s probably growth north of here.”
If this project is approved, pipeline expansion could start in a year and a half. Guilford County Commissioners held a meeting Thursday night with neighbors. The board will eventually have a final say. It’s not clear if there’s enough support for it to pass.