Penn State announced Thursday night that it’s asking Columbia Gas to “re-evaluate” the potential route for a controversial high-pressure pipeline.
The gas pipeline was initially planned to run through some residential areas of State College. Penn State is now asking Columbia Gas to consider keeping the pipeline on university property.
The pipeline project has stirred up local controversy in recent weeks, with dozens of community members voicing concerns about safety issues at recent Borough Council meetings.
The pipeline would provide a natural gas supply to the West Campus Steam Plant. The plant is being converted from coal to gas to comply with federal regulations. Opponents say the pipeline would not benefit the borough. Penn State had previously maintained that it was infeasible to run the pipeline under campus.
Because state law trumps local law on issues dealing with the gas industry, Borough Council was initially reluctant to formally oppose the project.
“I am very sympathetic with your fears and your desires and what you want for the borough. I am also incredibly frustrated by the situation,” Councilman Peter Morris said at a previous council meeting. “I agree that certainly this thing violates the borough charter, but if we try to enforce that, eventually it would end up in the courts of Pennsylvania and almost certainly we would lose.”
Nevertheless, Borough Council passed a resolution denying the pipeline permit at it’s meeting on April 1.
“Penn State is responding to concerns from State College residents about a proposed natural gas pipeline route through the borough by requesting that utility company Columbia Gas re-evaluate alternative routes that could take the pipeline across the University Park campus,” the statement read.
“This re-examination of campus routes is highly complex, and Columbia has indicated that it will take several weeks to complete. The University will continue to cooperate with the borough as it works through this process.”
“At an April 1 meeting, the State College Borough Council adopted Resolution 1085 to oppose permitting Columbia Gas to install a gas distribution line through residential neighborhoods,” the statement continued.
“Officials from Penn State’s Office of Physical Plant, who attended the meeting and listened to concerns from residents, have since asked Columbia to re-evaluate alternatives that would route the pipeline completely through Penn State property between Porter Road and the West Campus Steam Plant.”
