Pipeline plan gets a rather chilly reception

By Arrin Newton
Brunson
Special to The Tribune

April 18, 2008

    BRIGHAM CITY - The $2 billion Ruby Pipeline, tentatively proposed to carry natural gas to California and Nevada via Box Elder, Rich and Cache counties, is already generating plenty of heat. 

    Public meetings in Elko , Nev. , and Kemmerer , Wyo. , earlier this week brought only a handful of comments, but nearly 200 people turned up at Box Elder High School in Brigham City on Thursday night.

    The current proposal is to run the 680-mile underground line near the town of Woodruff , through a portion of the Cache National Forest , near Avon , before crossing the Wasatch Front on the north side of Brigham City . From there it would pass near Bear River City and Thatcher and then traverse north of the Great Salt Lake before entering Nevada and ending in Malin , Ore.

    After hearing nearly three hours of negative feedback Thursday night, Ruby representatives were talking about two new alternatives.

    Dave Swearingen, manager of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission environmental impact study, said the permitting process is just starting.

    "The Ruby folks are early in the process of developing the route of their pipeline," Swearingen said. "The exact location of the line will change from what it is now when the actual filing comes [in January 2009]."

    Grant Cook, the sole supporter of the project at the Thursday meeting, came from Ogden , miles away from any of the proposed pipeline routes. 

    "I know why my gas and fuel bill is $4 a gallon," said Cook, who worked for a gas company for 15 years. "Natural gas is very safe. These people have been in business for several years. These people are going to work with you. I hope everybody is satisfied when it is in."

    The next speaker recommended putting the 42-inch pipe in Cook's yard - or just about anywhere except the proposed route. Andy Crozier of Brigham City said the route will disturb Shoshone winter grounds and burial areas.

    Other naysayers said digging and dredging to bury the pipeline would lower property values and quality of life, as well as disturb earthquake fault lines, mineral springs, a waterfall, hiking trails, irrigation drains and wildlife.

    "What is going to happen to the mountain when you start blasting?" asked Brigham City resident Leslie Davis. "We will receive very little of the benefits. Most of it is going to communities far off."  

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