MDE's Hearing on the Potomac Pipeline

On Tuesday, December 19th, the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) held a public hearing in Hancock, MD on the Wetlands and Waterways permit for TransCanada's Eastern Panhandle Expansion Project aka the Potomac Pipeline. 

 

Along with our partners in the No Potomac Pipeline Coalition we organized a press conference ahead of the hearing and helped pack the room with ~300 concerned residents from WV, MD, and DC! For context, just yesterday DC's council unanimously supported a resolution calling on Gov Hogan to reject the pipeline over drinking water concerns.

 

The hearing started with a brief presentation from Duje Tomic, project manager for the Eastern Panhandle Expansion. He stated that TransCanada has the technology and expertise to make the pipeline run safely and efficiently. Throughout his talk, pipeline opponents stood and held their "Governor Hogan: No Potomac Pipeline" signs. (photo attached) Afterwards, we heard from a couple WV state lawmakers, state Sen. Charles S. Trump IV and Del. Daryl Cowles, both Republicans from Morgan County. Both said the fuel is needed to help continue economic growth in the Eastern Panhandle which drew loud boos and hissing from the crowd. 

 

Once the public testimony portion of the hearing began, it was clear that most folks were opposed to the pipeline. There were 15-20 attendees in orange LiUNA shirts but only 2 offered testimony in favor of the project. Immediately following the comments from these two reps, all of them promptly left. As far as I recall, there were no other public comments in favor of the pipeline! Most public comments highlighted the concern around drinking water, public health, TransCanada's recent Keystone pipeline spill, and that Maryland just banned fracking so allowing this pipeline would be hypocritical.

 

At around 10pm the MDE officials said about 25 people were left on the sign up sheet and that a second hearing would be scheduled to continue where this one left off. They are considering 1/11 or 1/18 as the second date and it will be held at MDE's office in Baltimore. This is technically after the public comment period closes (1/16) but MDE said folks can still submit comments through this second hearing date. If you haven't already be sure to send in comments against the pipeline! Feel free to use our online comment portal. FYI there is a WV State Water Permit hearing scheduled for 1/9/18 at Berkeley Spring High School.

 

Stay tuned for additional updates as we hear more from MDE but feel free to reach out with any questions!

 

Best,

Zack Gerdes

Conservation Organizer

 

Check out some of social media coverage on our Twitter page or by searching "#NoPotomacPipeline"