BLUEGRASS PIPELINE BUILDERS HALTING PROJECT
“Franklin County opponents of the proposed Bluegrass Pipeline are calling the company’s decision to halt the project a victory — but said the larger war against such pipelines isn’t over yet.
Williams and Boardwalk Pipeline Partners said in a web posting Monday they were not able to assemble a large enough customer base for the proposed pipeline that would have carried natural gas liquids.
The companies said they are no longer seeking to acquire land for the project and offices that housed land acquisition teams have been closed. They suggested, however, that the project could be resurrected at a later date.
“We continue to pursue support for the project, but we are exercising capital discipline and not investing additional capital at this time. In short, Bluegrass Pipeline appears to be a project that’s ahead of its time,” the web posting said.
Local activist Chris Schimmoeller, a vocal opponent to the pipeline, called Monday’s announcement “an incredible victory” for Kentuckians banded together over the buying power of a big energy company.
“Less than a year ago, Kentuckians started organizing against this company and against the Bluegrass Pipeline, and everywhere we turned, they threw money at us,” with advertisements, payments to landowners and lobbying efforts, she said.”
State Journal 28 April 2014.