By Lea Kahn, Staff Writer
MONTGOMERY — A public hearing on Williams-Transco’s request for permission to dig a trench to install 1,200 feet of natural gas pipeline — rather than tunnel underground — has been set for Aug. 9 at 7 p.m. at the Upper Middle School.
At the public hearing, the company will seek permission from the state Department of Environmental Protection to dig the trench to install the pipeline, after three failed attempts to tunnel underground to install it. The company hit rock each time it tried to install the pipeline.
The trench for the pipeline would cross some streams and fields, north of Cherry Valley Road. The DEP issued a permit for the company to tunnel underground for the pipeline. Those failed attempts damaged the drill bits used by the company.
Williams-Transco completed the 30-mile loop, known as the Leidy Southeast Expansion Project-Skillman Loop in December 2015. The company bypassed the 1,200-foot segment, but claims it needs to install the remainder of the Skillman Loop through the fields off Cherry Valley Road, near Cherry Hill Road.
The company needs to install the missing link for contractual reasons, a company official said. It is obligated to deliver a specific amount of natural gas, and the bypass creates a restriction in the pipeline that could affect delivery of the product.
The missing segment also is needed so the company can inspect and maintain the natural gas pipeline, a company official said.
