VP: Pipeline ‘unlikely’ to be rerouted

A vice president of the company planning to run a fiercely-contested natural gas pipeline through the Wimberley Valley said it’s “unlikely” it will be rerouted.

Allen Fore, vice president of Public Affairs for pipeline company Kinder Morgan, attempted to quell some of the concerns that have resonated across the community in an hour-long interview with The Wimberley View prior to a town hall meeting on the issue last week. 

The meeting was attended by hundreds of people who oppose the pipeline, which would carry 2.1 billion gallons of natural gas daily from West Texas to the Houston area. Kinder Morgan is the largest oil and gas pipeline company in North America, with hundreds of lines already running across Texas. 

“It’s unlikely (to be rerouted,)” Fore said. “Before we announced the project, we looked at a lot of different options. It’s certainly not just drawing lines on a map. These are some of the most experienced folks in the business… We spent a lot of time early on developing this route, but the refinement (of the route) is not finalized.

“We have thousands of miles of pipe across the state including here,” Fore continued. “We fully understand the uniqueness of the terrain, the history and the culture. Anybody who thinks this is West Texas is out of their mind… What is important to understand about pipeline construction is it is a linear project. It is a 50-foot easement under ground, and the construction, the science and methods are adaptable to many areas. We have constructed in extremely difficult areas from the desert to New England to the Hill Country. There is no cookie cutter approach.”

The concerns in the community are largely based around two issues: environmental impact and safety.

David Baker, with the Wimberley Valley Watershed Association, has brought up concerns that the digging could cause issues for the Edwards and Trinity aquifers as there are many sensitive areas that could be harmed during construction. Fore said that he does not know of the company ever having an issue during construction that “aversely impacted a water supply.”

“We will make sure during our construction process that we take into account any water-related issues or any environmental issues out there,” Fore said. “We will be digging a trench 10 feet deep… We are taking into account any potential aquifer or environmental issues. If we cross the river, we are confident we can do that without any adverse impacts. We have to go through a regulator process, so they are confident we can do that.”

As for the potential of the pipeline leaking and contaminating an aquifer, Fore said that it is “extremely rare” for a pipeline to leak. He also said that almost all leaks are on the delivery portion of the project, which is at the end of the line, as opposed to during transportation portion of the project, which is when the substance is in the pipeline. Additionally, he noted, if natural gas leaks, it is lighter than air, and therefore would rise up as opposed to sink into the ground and contaminate the water.

The company has not been exempt from accidents. A Kinder Morgan natural gas pipeline exploded near Midland last August, killing one person and injuring five. Fore acknowledged that there are some “incidents” with pipelines, but that there are numerous safety measures in this project.

“The important thing to understand is the safety protocols that are in place for pipelines,” Fore said. “We use the best available technology to make sure that these pipelines are as safe as possible. There is no question this is the safest way to transport energy whether it’s crude, gas or natural gas.”

Fore said that Kinder Morgan “has one of the best safety records in the business, if not the best.” He also laid out many of the safety protocols like making sure the steel of the pipeline is coated properly to prevent corrosion, 24/7 control center monitoring the pipeline, regular air and ground patrols and a device that internally runs the system to check for issues. He also said that the pipeline is built to allow for shutdowns and isolation, limiting the area impacted.

Kinder Morgan will host their own public meeting on the project at the Wimberley Community Center on Feb. 12 from 6 to 8 p.m.