Landowners reject Williams pipeline offers

A group of Lancaster County landowners held a press conference Saturday to publicly reject what they call Williams Partners’ “disrespectful” and “ludicrous” offers to buy easements allowing a massive natural gas pipeline to cross their properties.

At the event, held in the driveway of his home on Susquehannock Road in Martic Township, Ed Saxton defiantly tore up the contract Williams sent him.

The company had attached a Post-It saying one copy was for him to keep for his records.

“Williams, for my record, I do not accept your proposal,” Saxton said, adding: “Stay off my land.”

His comment alludes to an incident in early August when surveyors working on Williams’ behalf trespassed on his and others’ properties. Williams acknowledged the violation and banned the crew from future work.

Williams is proposing to build 35 miles of 42-inch-wide high-pressure gas pipeline through Lancaster County. It is part of the company’s 177-mile Atlantic Sunrise Project to transport Marcellus Shale gas to market.

Hundreds of county properties would be affected.

In September, landowners reported that Williams had begun sending them offers, typically a few tens of thousands of dollars, for right-of-way for the pipeline.

Williams promises to pay several thousand dollars upfront if property owners sign within 60 days.

The Tulsa, Oklahoma-based firm has yet to file an application with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, the agency that must approve the pipeline.

The speakers at Saturday’s event, organized with the group Lancaster Against Pipelines, raised concerns about safety and privacy.

Williams will be able to add more pipelines to the corridor once it’s established, they warned.

Kevin Shelley

The clear-cutting for the pipeline will create a de facto pathway “for anyone to run up and down our properties,” said Kevin Shelley, Saxton’s neighbor.

He questioned the industry’s assurances about safety. Displaying a photo of an aftermath of a pipeline explosion, he asked: “Are we going to have this in our back yards?”

“We’re rural, but I think we matter, too,” he said.

Should a rupture occur, the blast radius would be many hundreds of yards wide, Conestoga Township landowner Kim Kann said.

Saxton called Williams’ contract offers a “ploy.” If the company can get enough contracts signed, it will look to FERC as though the community welcomes the pipeline.

“Do not sign this document,” he urged other landowners.

If you’re even considering it, see an attorney, so you understand clearly what you’re giving up, he said.

Tony Haverstick said Williams’ easement offer “doesn’t touch” what the pipeline will do to the value of his historic Manor Township farmland.

Tim Spiese lives in Martic Township, but in his case, Williams is seeking an easement on his vacation property in Clinton County, where he has a cabin.

He promised Williams he and fellow landowners would fight every step of the way.

“Our goal is, it’s going to cost you so much money you’re going to go back to Oklahoma and leave us alone,” he said.

The landowners said they’re acting in the interest of the broader community.

The pipeline route hasn’t been finalized yet, Kann said.

“If it is in my back yard right now it could be in your back yard tomorrow,” she said.

Source: Lancaster Online