MARTINSBURG, W.Va. — More than 100 people are expected to gather Thursday for a silent protest during a TransCanada open house in Hancock, Md. regarding the company’s plan to put a pipeline under the Potomac River and the C&O Canal and into West Virginia.
“They’ve (TransCanada) decided to build a pipeline that will take fracked gas from Pennsylvania through about 10 properties in Maryland under the C&O Canal and under the Potomac River,” according to Russell Mokhiber with Eastern Panhandle Protectors.
Mountaineer Gas would then take over and bring the pipeline into Morgan County and into Martinsburg and Jefferson County.
Mokhiber said Thursday on Panhandle Live on MetroNews affiliate WEPM in Martinsburg the group has concerns about the impact the project might have on the river, which supplies drinking water to millions of people.
“If TransCanada can’t get approval from the Army Corps of Engineers, the national park Service and FERC, then the Mountaineer Gas Pipeline fails because there will be no gas to transport,” Mokhiber said.
According to Mokhiber, former TransCanada Engineer Evan Vokes said there are real concerns about the company’s ability to complete the project safely.
“He (Vokes) is a pro-fossil fuels, pro-pipeline engineer who believes that the company runs a slipshod operation when it comes to compliance and safety of its pipeline.”
Vokes has not returned a request for comment.
Mokhiber said there have also been reports of TransCanada bullying and intimidating affected land owners.
“Land agents are going to farmers and telling them ‘if you don’t take our offer, we’re going to take your property with eminent domain.’”
Proponents of the project say it will create opportunity for economic growth by bringing increased access to natural gas to the Eastern Panhandle for industry and individuals.
The open house is set for 6:00 p.m Thursday at the Hancock Town Hall.