Federal regulators Tuesday toured the proposed path of a natural gas pipeline through Harford, tracing its route past houses, schools and parks that neighbors fear could be endangered by its construction. Leading a procession of neighbors and concerned residents through the Fallston area, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission representatives walked along tree lines, fields and power line rights of way, where the 30-inch buried pipeline would carry gas from a proposed plant in Sparrow’s Point to pipelines in Pennsylvania.
FERC officials showed on a map where the 50-foot-wide lane for the pipe would pass about 800 feet from Fallston Middle School; where it would cross through woods and streams behind houses; and where it would follow power lines between the houses in a subdivision.
But not all on the tour were satisfied by the assurances that the pipe would not disturb houses or risk an explosion.
“The pipes that go into homes are the size of your finger, and when they blow up, it takes out a couple of houses,” said Fallston resident Andy Hutton.
“Imagine what a pipeline that’s 30 to 36 inches across would do.”
FERC is awaiting the final Environmental Impact Statement from the company building the Sparrow’s Point plant and the pipeline, and is expected to make a final decision on the projects by the end of November.
