Gas compressor station concerns Middletown residents

These were just a few of the concerns voiced in a 2 1⁄2-hour meeting Feb. 6 to hear input from residents for a proposed natural gas compressor station Dominion Transmission wants to build in Middletown Valley.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, the governing body that will decide if Dominion can build the compressor station, held the meeting that drew nearly 350 people, filling Middletown Middle School's cafeteria.

The proposed site of the compressor station, slated for construction in 2011, is 135 acres near Marker and Bolivar roads. The design includes three buildings that would use 11 acres.

Water quality, disaster risks, and an uncertain future use of the land were some other concerns voiced about the compressor station that would help transmit natural gas from Pennsylvania to Northern Virginia.

In addition to residents, representatives from local and state preservation groups spoke at the meeting.

Bill Wilson of the Central Maryland Heritage League Land Trust said it will be hard to persuade people to protect their land if the gas pump comes. “We can't get people to preserve land when they say 'What's the point when there's a big factory up the road?'“ Wilson said.

The compressor station would be about two stories tall at its peak, said Bob Fulton, a representative of Dominion. Fulton said a depiction of the station handed out at the meeting by Citizens for the Preservation of Middletown Valley was a “extreme depiction.“

“With proper landscaping and such, it's not as obtrusive,“ he said.

Ronald Moss of Middletown said the proposed station would infringe on the South Mountain battlefield. “I think I can speak for those who had ancestors in the Civil War when I say this is hallowed ground,“ he said.

The proposed site for the compressor station is near Fox's Tavern, which Dominion has every intention of preserving, Fulton said.

The tavern, a Civil War staging area for the Battle of South Mountain, is considered an endangered Civil War site. “The last time I checked, rural legacy didn't mean impact minimization,“ said resident Darren Wolf.

Kathryn Ruud of Middletown questioned the benefit to the town. “This is trading housing sprawl for utilities sprawl,“ she said. “Should we bear the burden of this just so more houses can be built in Virginia?“

“Everyone's going to see it and everyone's going to hear it,“ said Charlie Welch, who lives near the proposed site, which sits on visible elevation in the valley.

Some said the compressor station would be seen from the Appalachian Trail and Braddock Mountain, and the noise is expected to be louder than the law allows.

Welch suggested trying to soundproof the turbines needed to pressurize the gas, or disguise the buildings as barns.

Dominion representatives denied the compressor station would be a noise disruption, and said the plant is required to keep noise levels below 55 decibels. “The dishwasher in your house is louder than that,“ Fulton said.

A resident suggested an alternate location for the site, and others recommended investigating a 40-mile addition to the pipeline instead of constructing the compressor station.

Fulton said the company had looked at other properties in the area, but the proposed site was ideal. Dominion also studied the addition to the pipeline, but it seemed more practical to disturb 11 acres instead of 40 miles, he said.

The sentiment of most Middletown residents seemed best summed by Donna Smith.

“I'm not happy about it, and if you have something to sign ... I'll sign it,“ said Smith, who lives a mile away from the property.

Submit a comment

Go to the Federal Agency Regulatory Commission site at www.ferc.gov. Click on ‘‘Documents & Filing.”

Write to the Office of the Secretary, FERC, 888 1st Street, Northeast, Washington, D.C. 20426.