The embattled proposal for a pipeline that would carry Wyoming natural gas across the Wasatch Front en route to California has not had a good month.
-In early March, a congressional oversight subcommittee announced it will investigate whether environmental issues were adequately addressed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, which in January issued certificates to three energy companies to build the pipeline. The oversight committee begins hearings May 4 in the State Capitol.
-Last week, the Forest Service announced it will not amend its management plan to allow construction through five miles of forest in Mueller Park above Bountiful until it is known which of the three companies is going to build the pipeline.
-Now, FERC has agreed to reconsider its certification of Wyoming-California Pipeline Co. (Wy-Cal), Kern River Gas Transmission Co. and Mojave Pipeline Co., according to pipeline opponent Kenley Brunsdale, Democratic challenger to Rep. James Hansen, R-Utah.
The developments, which are apt to delay the project indefinitely, have pipeline opponents in Salt Lake and Davis counties smiling.
"I see a light at the end of the tunnel, finally," said Renee' Coon, a member of the Bountiful Hills Residents and Concerned Citizens Association, which opposes the Wasatch Front route. "I don't want to be overly optimistic, knowing the federal government and what they've done in the past. But I'm hopeful we have a good chance now. But we can't let our guard down."
Opponents of the pipeline filed a rehearing request with FERC in February, arguing that environmental and safety concerns were not adequately addressed in issuing the certificates to the pipeline companies.
"The potential environmental, social and recreational impacts have been given cursory or no substantive analysis," according to a petition filed with FERC on behalf of the Bountiful Hills association; the cities of West Bountiful City, Woods Cross and Centerville; the Utah Chapter of the Sierra Club; and the Utah Wildlife Foundation.
The petition says the pipeline companies have not demonstrated their ability to prevent or respond to accidents. It also says FERC has been more concerned with the economic benefits than with possible environmental and safety consequences.
South Davis County residents, led by the Bountiful Hills group, are concerned that the pipeline would damage the pristine Mueller Park canyon, pass too closely to residential areas and schools and would traverse mudslide areas and Wasatch Fault lines.
Salt Lake County residents joined with the Bountiful Hills group last week in West Valley City in a street demonstration to condemn the "Wasatch variation" of the pipeline, which, after skirting the foothills of South Davis County, would run through Salt Lake County along 5800 West.