CPMV.org

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

Re: Dominion... any news?

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