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by **Rich_Maranto** » Thu Jan 15, 2009 4:09 pm

Middletown Compressor Station update

We still don't know the disposition of the Marker Road property. Here are the things that we do know:

— On November 3rd 2008, DTI asked FERC to terminate its pre-filing review process for the Storage Factory Project including the proposed Gas Compressor Station in Frederick County. View their "Notice of Project Suspension" here.

— DTI's "Notice" states that when the project resumes "in a few years", DTI anticipates the need for "natural gas facilities" (plural) in Frederick County.
— DTI has released their options on the property in Jefferson, MD and that land is back on the market.

— The status of the Marker Road property is currently unknown. As far as we can determine the Marker Road property is not on the market.

On Friday January 9, 2009 a Dominion representative was seen on the Marker Road property meeting with the occupants of two other vehicles.

If anyone knows about this meeting or the disposition of the property, please post it on the CPMV forum, or you can report it anonymously by emailing the information to the following address: neighborhoodwatch@cpmv.org

by **Rich_Maranto** » Thu Jan 22, 2009 2:06 pm

Dominion purchased the Marker Rd property!

by **mtowngalrox** » Thu Jan 22, 2009 4:03 pm

I feel like my heart just stopped beating.
I moved to Middletown for the community, the beauty, the historical richness and now Dominion has bought the property and will ruin the beauty of Middletown.... I just can not comprehend this. Is there anything we can do now? How could they get the approval to buy the property with so much opposition from the community? Did we all do this for nothing?

by **Rich_Maranto** » Thu Jan 22, 2009 4:25 pm

Agreed, but it's not time to panic... yet. We have time and knowledge... two things that we didn't have last year.

Dominion just took 1 giant step toward fulfilling their dream of building their industrial facility on historic, agricultural land overlooking Middletown Valley.

Let's see how our community responds...

by **randallbuxbaum** » Thu Jan 22, 2009 5:18 pm

I wonder if Dominion will comment on their recent real estate investment?
RB

by **prairiegrass** » Thu Jan 22, 2009 5:54 pm

My spouse and I are quite upset, and angered at this forceful step on Dominion's part. I urge all CPMV members (send in your membership dues if have not done so!) to stay tuned and inform anyone willing to listen. This whole process (bypassing the locals) was written into gas & oil laws put together by lobbyists and passed by "our" Congress in the energy bill of 2005. If need be, we must stand ready to remind public officials that we know where this arrogance comes from and that it will be fought. Simultaneously, we can all do what we can to support the national and local development of clean energies. We can do this by supporting legislation, communicating with our reps, talking to our neighbors/families, etc.

Any interest in a local wind co-op? :idea:

It is already being done in the Northwest.

A hearty thanks to the Sherlock behind this who has kept step-by-step track of Dominion's actions, saving the rest of us time & effort.

by **mtowngalrox** » Thu Jan 22, 2009 6:02 pm

I'm ready to do whatever we need to do to let them know I am one of many who will not allow this go unnoticed.
As bewildered as I am that this was allowed to happen, I know that many of us will not let them get away with this.

Thanks CPMV for all that you do for us

by **TerrEssentials** » Thu Jan 22, 2009 8:02 pm

Thanks for staying on top of this issue and digging up the real estate transaction details, Rich.

Sigh! We are so sick and tired of business-as-usual and large environmentally-UNfriendly corporations that bully citizens. We're also disgusted by corrupt politicians, and don't care much for the business of lawyers, BUT we're not willing to let Dominion ruin our community without putting up a fight even if it means we have to round up 200 Middletown households to kick in $250-500 each to hire an attorney with a big stick to represent us. We will greatly appreciate being notified about any further Dominion activity.

**********

BTW, PrairieGrass, we would be interested in exploring the idea of a wind co-op. Would this co-op actually incorporate the physical installation of smaller, farm-/homeowner-sized vertical turbines in our MV, or are we talking about a purchasing co-op on paper? Either way, we'd be interested to hear more details, thanks.

by **beekeepr** » Thu Jan 22, 2009 8:55 pm

Okay, whose going to be the first to call FNP

by **Rich_Maranto** » Thu Jan 22, 2009 9:17 pm

I've emailed FNP, Citizen, the BOCC and Bartlett's office... but everyone should spread the word...

by **ascanlan-teller** » Thu Jan 22, 2009 9:34 pm

I don't know about you all, but I am just thrilled to death knowing I'll be downwind of a compressor station <sarcasm alert>

Dominion may own the property, but can they build their compressor station on it? What about the cultural, historical, archaeological, and rural significance of the site that was to be studied? What was found in the "research" that Dominion was supposed to have done on the site regarding its historical and archaeological and environmental status?

I am a Civil War reenactor and am conditioning myself to long marches. Those of you on Bidle Road probably have seen me dressed in blue walking along the road in my gear this past year when I was preparing for a march from Fairfax, VA to Gettysburg, PA. I think I will take the route up Marker Road around Fox's Tavern part of my circuit to remind people about the historical significance of this road. My Pennsylvania relatives marched up it Sept 14, 1862 and two of them died as a result of fighting on Fox's Gap.

I know we have the support of leaders interested in preserving Civil War battlefields. Time to rally the troops again.

Audrey Scanlan Teller

by **beekeepr** » Thu Jan 22, 2009 10:21 pm

My gut feeling is that the property owners had rights and that Dominion had to buy it so that they would not be sued. Maybe it will be a loss to them when they can not do anything with it.

by **ascanlan-teller** » Fri Jan 23, 2009 8:17 am

Beekeeper,

I hope you are right and that it is an investment property only because they could not break a contract with the previous owner. Hope for the best and prepare for the worst.

Audrey

By the way, do you sell your honey at P.J. Gilligan's store? That is terrific honey!

by **Rich_Maranto** » Fri Jan 23, 2009 8:38 am

Sorry, but "options" just mean that Dominion had the option to purchase the land (at their discretion)... not the legal requirement to purchase it. Dominion is not in the real estate or farming business.

I think that they've been very clear about there intentions for the property. Unless they are stopped, Dominion intends to break ground in 2012 and be operational by 2014.

by **Rich_Maranto** » Fri Jan 23, 2009 9:47 am

My email to David Hanobic (FERC)
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
David,

Dominion just purchased the Marker Rd. property where they were in pre-filing review for the last 1.5 years. The documents are on our website at: http://www.cpmv.org

Here are my questions:

1. Since DTI terminated the pre-filing review process, is DTI now allowed to move forward with the project "behind closed doors"?

2. Since many of the considerations that were brought up by me and others at the Jefferson hearing also apply to the Marker Rd site but were unknown last February (at the Middletown meeting), is there a procedure to formally register them under the Marker Rd site as well?

My guess is that DTI will do the following:
— Skip the pre-filing review for Marker Rd and just "address" (mitigate) the Marker Rd. issues in their application.
— In late 2010 go directly to application on the Marker Rd. site and fast-track it for construction in 2012.

Is the public locked out of this process until DTI goes to application?

Thanks,
Rich
--
Richard Maranto
Citizens for the Preservation of Middletown Valley
http://www.cpmv.org

by **Rich_Maranto** » Fri Jan 23, 2009 10:12 am

Just got a call from David... that was a quick response. The answers below...

1. Since DTI terminated the pre-filing review process, is DTI now allowed to move forward with the project "behind closed doors"?

Answer: Since the PF07-12 project was terminated by DTI in November, the land acquisition is not part of any FERC process... so there is no FERC review.

2. Since many of the considerations that were brought up by me and others at the Jefferson hearing also apply to the Marker Rd site but were unknown last February (at the Middletown meeting), is there a procedure to formally register them under the Marker Rd site as well?

Answer: Since the PF07-12 project was terminated by DTI in November, all comments in that Docket are also terminated however they will remain online and maybe could be referenced in a new filing. If/when DTI returns with a new project, it will have a new Docket number and a clean Docket slate.

by **dllucas** » Fri Jan 23, 2009 10:23 am

Well, that sounds OMINOUS! FERC is not even involved anymore??? We really need to put our heads together for our next steps...Everyone needs to contact all stakeholders to get the word out and contact their government officials too. The more public outcry the better! CPMV will need your time, energy and $$ to be successful in fighting Dominion.

Donna

by **ascanlan-teller** » Fri Jan 23, 2009 10:27 pm

Does this mean DTI will have to refile and have a similar pre-filing review process with FERC as last time?

Audrey Scanlan Teller

by **ascanlan-teller** » Fri Jan 23, 2009 10:45 pm

I had a publicity idea -- would a march of Civil War reenactors from Middletown to South Mountain past the site following the route of the 9th Corps around the time of the anniversary date of the Battle of South Mountain be of interest? I have a number of friends who are able and willing to march it. If we could arrange with some of you folks en route to let us stop and top up on fresh water, we could do this.

Please let me know if this idea would be helpful and I will get to work organizing it.

Thank you,

Audrey Scanlan-Teller

by **Rich_Maranto** » Sat Jan 24, 2009 9:11 am

Audrey,

I think that's a fantastic idea! I'll contact you about the details and talk it over with the CPMV Board.

Here's a challenge for everyone...

Think of a way to publicize the uniqueness of this parcel of land that the media would be interested in covering. We probably have some time before Dominion goes to application on the compressor project. If the spotlight goes away maybe nobody will be paying attention when the bulldozers show up.

Not to sound ominous but unless our community shows some interest, time is on Dominion's side...

by **prairiegrass** » Sun Jan 25, 2009 2:17 pm

Re interest in wind co-ops, please see the new topic under Local Environmental Issues. Great to have the feedback!

The connection between the promotion of clean energy and Dominion: The reasons residents and local officials have opposed the construction of the compressor on Marker Rd. are largely environmental ones: air and water pollution, noise and light pollution, visual impact, etc. Dirty energy is old, outdated energy. Clean energy is possible, it is a question of how much how fast. Each and every step each of us takes to learn about and support clean energy development (and energy conservation) empowers us to fight against the same old same old, which is what this compressor represents. Given the option, I am willing to bet that the residents of N.Va. would also prefer a clean energy supply. The purchase of the property by Dominion is a kind of strong-arming in the fight against the future. The very idea of building a large, ugly structure on such an inappropriate site, that would last a millenium (or more) when we are on the verge of an explosion of new, clean (and ultimately far less expensive) technologies is ludicrous :lol:

!

by **prairiegrass** » Sun Jan 25, 2009 7:57 pm

Clarity, please...

If Dominion should propose a new project (or even restart the old), wouldn't they be required by law to go through the FERC process again?

I agree with others that we should be proactive in drawing attention to the historical value of the site. A march by Civil War reenactors would be a great start. Any chance of setting up a Sat. a.m. meeting at the Main Cup to air our mutual concerns and consider creative options for the future? On a history of coffee documentary on PBS, I discovered the French Revolution might not have happened without the popular coffee house scene of the time! Count me in on any effort to support/bring food and/or water to/photograph the reenactors...

by **Rich_Maranto** » Sun Jan 25, 2009 9:32 pm

prairiegrass,

The FERC "pre-filing" process is optional. Dominion went through it on the Marker Rd. site last February and the community responded. On November 3rd 2008, DTI asked FERC to terminate its "pre-filing" review process. This means that Dominion can operate "behind closed doors" until they re-engage with the FERC.

When Dominion "restarts" the project, it will have a completely new FERC docket number with a totally clean slate. It will be considered by the FERC to be a "new" project. The decision on how to proceed is Dominion's alone. At any time Dominion could bypass "pre-filing" and go directly to "application" on the Marker Rd site, in which case (as I recall) the community would have 30 days to respond... but I could be wrong about the timing.

In any case, Dominion is on record that they plan on starting construction in 2012 and being operational by 2014. This means that they would have to go to application sometime before 2011.

My guess is that they count on the community losing interest... until they hear the bulldozers and by then it's too late.
Just a guess.

by **tcv** » Mon Jan 26, 2009 7:11 am

Maybe it's just wishful thinking, but the situation may not be ominous. It's possible that Dominion was forced into buying the property. If under their option to purchase they were required to complete the application process, then they could have been ripe for a lawsuit by the property owner since they did not follow through on their promise. Another possibility would be that another buyer attempted to purchase the property and Dominion exercised their option to buy since they have not totally given up on the area. It's possible that Dominion saw the purchase price as decent and determined that they could resell the property with minimal damage if they decided not to pursue this site. I definitely agree that the community must be ever vigilant but it is possible that Dominion is not charging ahead full steam on this project.

by **Rich_Maranto** » Mon Jan 26, 2009 9:10 am

tcv,
I'm not a lawyer, but that would seem to have been a poorly written "options" contract... but I guess that anything is possible. My experience with "options" matches the Wikipedia definition:

An option is a contract written by a seller that conveys to the buyer the right — but not the obligation — to buy (in the case of a call option) or to sell (in the case of a put option) a particular asset, such as a piece of property, or shares of stock or some other underlying security, such as, among others, a futures contract. In return for granting the option, the seller collects a payment (the premium) from the buyer.

I do agree with you that for Dominion, $2.4 million for the Marker Rd property is cheap and it does keep that site available to them. Dominion is already on the record stating that:

1. The Marker Rd site is the only possible site that will work for them in Frederick County (FERC testimony, Feb '08)
2. That Dominion is able to "mitigate" every issue that came out of the FERC testimony last Feb.**

**Presented in Dominion's May 30, 2008 FERC filing "RESPONSE TO SCOPING PERIOD COMMENTS – MIDDLETOWN COMPRESSOR STATION"
http://www.cpmv.org/dominion/dominion/a ... 284292.pdf

Read that document carefully, and see what you think...

by **prairiegrass** » Mon Jan 26, 2009 7:48 pm

Rich, thanks for info, but more clarification (at least for me, maybe I missed something), please...

'residents would have 30 days to respond." To whom?

Also, again I urge a meeting at the Main Cup for all concerned. To be prepared, we should assume the worst. This means a different strategy, to reach out to the 300 people who came to the 1st community meeting at MMS (and beyond), let them know this is not a dead deal, and figure out how to maintain some attention and readiness to respond if/when quick action is needed.

What do Rich and others think of meeting together? I do think getting together creates/maintains bonds in a way this site alone cannot. An active coffeehouse could be DTI's nightmare.

by **Rich_Maranto** » Tue Jan 27, 2009 10:06 am

prairiegrass,

residents would have 30 days to respond.

This is from memory... I'd have to go back and review the FERC rules to confirm...

Last January when the FERC sent out DTI's "pre-filing" review process notices (around January 19, 2008), the community had 30 days to respond. I believe that when DTI actually goes to application on the compressor station, it will work the same way as the "pre-filing" process.
1. "Stakeholders" within 1/2 mile of the property will be notified
2. The "stakeholders" will have 30 days to respond
3. DTI then addresses any relevant concerns
4. The FERC makes a decision

Also, I agree that we need to meet. I like the coffeehouse idea. The CPMV Board is discussing "next steps". You should see some media about the sale soon. Hopefully that will get the message out to the community and will get everyone re-engaged....

by **Rich_Maranto** » Thu Jan 29, 2009 12:11 pm

prairiegrass,

We took your suggestion and will be at the Main Cup this Saturday (January 31st) form 9 to 11 am...

Rich

by **dllucas** » Thu Jan 29, 2009 5:00 pm

Hi Everyone - we sure could use your support this weekend - spread the word and come visit us at the Main Cup where we can provide you with up to date info on DTI and what CPMV's plans are for guarding our Valley. Looking for your input!

Donna

by **dllucas** » Fri Jan 30, 2009 11:26 am

It would be nice to see or better understand the Studies that Robert Fulton/DTI is referring to in the Gazette article. They never really explained to our satisfaction why they simply couldn't enlarge the existing pipeline. In conversation with Guy Kelly and Ned Hallein,(who had written to FERC regarding such)this suggestion that they offered seems perfectly plausible to me. The existing pipeline is about 30 years old...it's going to need to be replaced sooner or later...with or without the compressor station. Why not replace it with a large volume pipe now and then decide if they still need the compressor station. I would much rather suffer the temporary disruption of pipe replacement than to see a Compressor station the rest of my life.

Donna

by **randallbuxbaum** » Fri Jan 30, 2009 4:34 pm

I am no expert, but one has to assume that these sites are selected primarily for engineering and economic reasons. Not sure that we can trust Dominion's conclusions, but it would be interesting to have them present the studies in detail and see if Marker Road is such a clear choice.

Same applies for the arguement to install a new pipeline.
RB

by **Rich_Maranto** » Thu Feb 05, 2009 10:06 am

This explosion resulted when an underground cross country gas pipe was hit during digging...

by **lmelia** » Thu Feb 05, 2009 1:18 pm

Hi Rich- those explosion pictures are powerful! Can we get some printed out for this Saturday's meeting at the Main Cup??

by **Rich_Maranto** » Thu Feb 05, 2009 5:19 pm

Wouldn't that be a little provocative? just kidding... These type of incidents are somewhat uncommon... however, having said that, here's one from September 14, 2008 - Appomattox Co., VA ...

http://www.wset.com/news/stories/0908/553310.html

by **dllucas** » Fri Feb 06, 2009 1:56 pm

Oh Now I get it :geek:

: ...DTI doesn't want the Compressor station in an Industrial site....as it might blow up another company's facility. They'd rather have it out in open Agricultural land where it will only destroy our homes, vistas, crops and livestock. Easier for them to remedy... (This is only my cynical opinion)

Donna

by **randallbuxbaum** » Fri Feb 06, 2009 2:17 pm

Without any details on the location or cause of this explosion, I think it is hasty to speculate about the risks associated with gas pipelines.
That said, if someone wants to do some gas facility incident research, that would be a worthy endeavor.
RB

by **ascanlan-teller** » Mon Feb 09, 2009 2:59 pm

Re: planning for September 12 South Mountain Road March

Could those who are interested in helping out with this endeavor contact me at ascantell@ascantell.com?

Many Thanks,

Audrey

by **dllucas** » Tue Feb 10, 2009 10:46 am

Alert - there was a Domninion car parked behind Fox's Tavern early this morning. ?????

by **randallbuxbaum** » Tue Feb 10, 2009 5:10 pm

Yep. I would expect the presence of DTI employees at the Marker Road site to become common. They didn't buy it for farming.
RB

by **Rich_Maranto** » Wed Feb 11, 2009 9:29 am

Thanks to everyone who stopped by the Main Cup for the CPMV "Listening Sessions" the past two Saturdays. They have been invaluable!

The last "Listening Session" is this Saturday... so stop by for a few minutes and say hello.

by **beekeepr** » Thu Feb 26, 2009 6:04 am

I'm not sure who wrote this but I found it on the High Schools newspaper website.

http://www.mhsroundtable.com/opinion/ed ... iddletown/

Maybe its just a student trying out their skills at debating.

by **Rich_Maranto** » Thu Feb 26, 2009 10:09 am

That is a great student website... very impressive. The article was nicely done even though it missed the basic point of CPMV's position.

Whenever possible, industrial facilities should be built on land that has been zoned (by the community) for industrial development.

I guess that the counter argument would be that anyone, should be able to build anything, anywhere. Say goodbye to planning and zoning and all regulations. Say hello to Mr. Burns, nuclear waste dumps, and blinky the three-eyed fish

As many of you already know, Dominion is on the record with the FERC admitting that they failed to look at any of the available industrial properties in Frederick County before they put a contract on the Marker Road property. The Marker Road property was Dominion's first, best and until the community resisted, only choice for their industrial facility.

p.s. It doesn't surprise me that some high school students don't place a high value living in a historic area... my kids are older and it is not very significant to them either...

by **beekeepr** » Fri Feb 27, 2009 10:18 am

http://www.mhsroundtable.com/opinion/ed ... iddletown/

One Response to “Gas compressor would not be harmful to Middletown”

1. Katie on February 26th, 2009 7:07 pm

Unfortunately, Middletown will be receiving no direct benefit from the addition of this power station, which is why the idea of it bringing questionable environmental effects, noise and an aesthetic blemish on the landscape isn’t too peachy for most of the town’s residents. I don’t even live in Middletown, and I went to that council meeting long ago, simply because their protests seem quite justified.

Change is hard to come by in happy valley, and I’m not so sure if people are as afraid of one dinky little power station as they are of the possibility of it growing and expanding (as industry so often does), slowly chomping up the rolling stretches of lush farmland sprinkled with trees that we’ve come to adore in all their picturesque quaintness. If nothing else, you can probably respect the idea that we don’t want our pretty little painting of a landscape marred by an expansive power plant, one that isn’t even going to be serving anyone in the immediate area. This is a very classic case of “the man trying to keep us down.”

Think of how angry the population in Sim City gets when you put an unstable-to-the-point-of-rivalry-with-Chernobyl nuclear power plant in the vacant lot beside catholic preschool, then downsize that for hyperbole’s sake, and you’ve pretty much got the reaction that’s happening here.

And just to get nice and anal, for technicality’s sake - as far as the possibility of disaster goes, flammability of the natural gas is, as I understand it, not so much a concern as the idea of it seeping into the groundwater. W

hich, unless you’re Optimus Prime, is not going to be particularly appealing.

by **Rich_Maranto** » Wed Dec 09, 2009 9:22 am

Has anyone heard this NPR story?

"Health Issues Follow Natural Gas Drilling In Texas"
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120043996

by **ascanlan-teller** » Wed Dec 09, 2009 11:34 am

Just listened to it. Rich, thanks (I guess) for posting. Nice to know I am living SE of Fox's Tavern so me and my horses can catch all the fumes from the station on the prevailing NW wind (sarcasm alert to you Dominion reps out there).

A. Scanlan

by **ascanlan-teller** » Wed Dec 09, 2009 11:43 am

By the way, I saw this article in the Washington Post over the weekend, and while it does not deal directly with compressor stations per se, it gives an interesting insight into the natural gas industry's neighborly ways.http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/12/02/AR2009120204305.html

by **Rich_Maranto** » Thu Dec 10, 2009 9:04 am

Interesting article... here's the link to the youtube video mentioned in it...

Natural Gas in Water - Fort Lupton, CO - ground / well water contamination
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bekzB7aUaaQ

by **ascanlan-teller** » Thu Dec 10, 2009 11:27 am

Saw somebody parked in a silver subaru on a cell phone across from the Dominion site today when I was driving by. And anybody know the what the dirt piles on the property at the crest of the hill are for -- fill for the field or is something going on?

A. Scanlan

by **ascanlan-teller** » Wed Jan 13, 2010 5:54 pm

Rich,

Thanks ( I guess ) for posting the what it is like living next to a Dominion Natural Gas Compressor station. The noise level is appalling. Like being at an airport behind a jet engine. I don't see how these folks have stuck out living there. So much for no greater than 65 db at the property line noise allowances Dominion promises. I just can't wait until they build such a monstrosity here. Wow! It will just be like having my very own private jet engine at all hours of the night and day -- Wahoo!

If I were those people, it would take all my composure not to use my property as a live-fire rifle and cannon range. Oooops, did I just hit something???

A. Scanlan

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