According to the state DEP, the project application can be reviewed at its Wilkes-Barre or Bethlehem District Offices. but you have to make an appointment. (610-861-2070).
The state has already ruled that compressor stations are not major sources of pollution, but four people at Thursday's Council meeting had a different view. Joan Deen, who is active in the Northampton County League of Women Voters, made the following observations:
- Columbia Gas wants to increase the horsepower at the compressor station from 2,250 hp to 21,000 hp (The Express Times said the increase would be from 5,000 to 22,000) "Obviosuly, they have plans for the future, notes Deen.
- Though a school bus is unable to idle for more than 15 minutes because of air pollution concerns, this expanded station will be the equivalent of 168 school buses idling 24 hours per day, 365 days per year.
- The station as expanded will annually emit 70 tons of nitrous oxide; 163 tons of carbon monoxide; 15 tons of particulate matter that we will breathe in; 9 tons of volatile components; 99,000 tons of greenhouse gases; and 1/2 ton of sulfur dioxide.
Compressor foes have established a Facebook page, Stop the Easton Compressor Station.
14 comments:
That's a honey of a unit. Looks like it is on site on Klein Rd - those tree tops and the gravel pad look familiar.
i question where her "facts" come from?
So do I, but she has said enough to concern me.
These are the type of people who would have opposed the wheel during the stone age. We need natural gas.
We do, but we also need answers to the questions posed by this group.
I may be biased, having worked in the industry, but I think the concerns about this expansion are way overblown. This is just a way for anti-fracking people to indirectly attack fracking, through the opposition to this compressor station. Their mindset being "more pipeline capacity = more demand for fracked gas = more fracking." I feel the only people who legitimately have any concerns are the couple of homeowners who are within 1000' or so of it. These units typically do make constant noise that may be bothersome to an adjacent resident. Increase in horsepower usually means more noise. There are "silencers" available, but I do not know effective they are.
I agree with 7:26am, some of these people would have opposed the wheel.
Disclosure: I have no affiliation with Columbia, past or present.
Bernie , I don't pretend to know much about this but school buses engines are the example she used. They generally , have diesel 6 ltr engines. When at idle and not pulling a load with the turbo boosted,probably idle warm at under 10 close to 5 horsepower.Diesel engine work on torque! I think she is basing her figures on fiction already.
Anon 5;35 ---I called Cummings Technical Support they said less that 4 House power so you are correct ,but I did not want to overstate that because of different manufactures, and any lack of maintenance. BUT your on the ball .
What happened to you post ?My fingers are not working ---sorry I mean LESS than 4 HORSEPOWER.I flubbed that . Need to use my glasses.
Is this Council`s purview?
No
Didn`t think so.
This compressor station as well as the pipeline that services it, along with many other stations and lines throughout Pennsylvania and the rest of the US have been in these same locations years before the developments that surround them have been built. With that said continued maintenance and upgrades need to be completed, without such some type of failure may occur. These same individuals would be complaining and I am sure seeking some compensation for such disaster. As I see it for the most part it's the same people that buy property next to airports, highways, or other infrastructure without doing a complete assessment of the area to see what it holds for them and there family.
In regards to any new pipeline that is to be considered then I would have to agree with the property owners and stand your ground. But again for upgrades and maintenance of existing line and facilities on those lines do what must be done. Remember though leave the area looking better than when you started your fixes.
Selecting an air compressor can be a bit difficult because there is a lot of information and specifications. Thanks for sharing those useful tips Bernie O'Hare.
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