With all the formal protests officially settled, a state agency has approved plans by Consumers Energy to build the new West Oakland Pipeline through Springfield and Independence townships.
The Michigan Public Service Commission on Dec. 2 approved a settlement agreement authorizing the 36-inch, high-pressure steel pipeline to carry natural gas from an interconnection with Consumers Energy’s Clarkston Junction in Rose Township for about 24.4 miles to an interconnection with the utility’s Oakland Pipeline in Oakland Township.
According to a statement from the MPSC, the company intends to build the eastern 11.3 miles in 2005, with the remaining 13.1 miles to be completed one to three years thereafter.
At an estimated cost of $57.9 million, the pipeline will fill a need the utility said exists because of increasing demand.
The Huron-Clinton Metropolitan Authority, Charter Townships of Independence and Springfield, the Township of Rose, MPSC staff, Michael and Lisa Bender, Michael J. Perion, and Sharon Bone participated in hearings on the matter.
Among those hearings was a standing-room-only event on June 23 in which residents complained of potential damage to trees, wetlands and private property if the construction was approved. Springfield and Rose township officials specifically protested plans to build in ‘sensitive wetlands and exceptionally rare natural resource complexes? such as the Great Huron Swamp in Springfield Township and Buckhorn Lake in Rose Township.
On Nov. 19, a settlement was reached with Consumers Energy; MPSC staff; and the townships of Independence, Springfield and Rose. The remaining parities either withdrew their interventions or stated they were not opposed to the agreement. The settlement agreement resolved all issues related to the pipeline’s construction, officials said.
A prepared statement said the MPSC found the settlement to be reasonable and in the public interest.
Consumers Energy, headquartered in Jackson, filed an application for authority to construct and operate the West Oakland Pipeline on Feb. 12.