The saga of the proposed Columbia Gas Pipeline will likely continue at tonight’s State College Borough Council meeting. On Friday Borough Manager Tom Fountaine released a letter to Columbia Gas denying the approval of a construction permit necessary to move forward on the proposed pipeline that would run through town.
The permit denial puts the proposed pipeline in a legal limbo. Though no legal action has taken place, in earlier discussions of the pipeline Columbia Gas representatives hinted that litigation was a possibility if the permit was denied.
Russell Bedell, a spokesman for Columbia Gas, said, “Columbia is reviewing the legal issues raised by the denial of the permit.” At the forefront of those legal issues is the State College Community Bill of Rights, which explicitly bars the building of such a pipeline. The problem, in the eyes of Columbia, is the legality of the Community Bill of Rights, particularly where it overlaps with state law.
“We are disappointed that the borough denied the permit and ignored Pennsylvania state law which holds that the public is entitled to safe and reliable utility service through out the commonwealth,” said Bedell.
The proposed gas pipeline would connect with Penn State’s power plant. The pipeline is part of the university’s plan to convert the coal-powered plant to natural gas.
University spokeswoman Lisa Powers confirmed that the university was still processing how to move forward—whether in court or with a new route—saying, “We along with Columbia Gas are still discussing the next steps. No decisions have been made.”
Powers says the university consulted with Columbia Gas about where to place the gas line. She says the proposed route was considered the safest based on the gas company’s engineering expertise.
Tonight’s meeting will also feature several proposals regarding the Downtown Master Plan. Specifically, the board will consider removing two-hour parking on Kemmerer Road and work towards approval of the Atherton Street Corridor Project.
