Update 9:39 a.m: The Senate passed the resolution by a voice vote.Original post: The Kentucky State Senate will consider a resolution on natural gas liquids pipelines, spurred by recent surveying in Kentucky for the Bluegrass Pipeline.If it's built, the Bluegrass Pipeline project would carry natural gas liquids from the Northeast to the Gulf of Mexico. Natural gas liquids are the byproduct of natural gas drilling, and contain materials like propane and ethane. The project utilizes a lot of existing infrastructure, but about 500 miles across Kentucky and Ohio would be new construction, which has met opposition from residents.The resolution was introduced yesterday by Senator Jimmy Higdon, who represents part of the area being considered as a route for the pipeline. It's simple, and asks for two things: That the Public Service Commission is urged to examine this issue closely, determine what agencies have oversight responsibility, and, if there are gaps, take immediate action to fill those gaps; That the entities engaged in property acquisition are urged to negotiate with landowners and reach agreement without any use or threat of condemnation; It doesn't mention the Bluegrass Pipeline by name, but asks the Clerk of the Senate to transmit a copy of the resolution to the two companies involved in the project: Williams and Boardwalk Pipeline Partners.Citizens and environmental groups had called on Governor Steve Beshear to put pipeline regulation and eminent domain on the call for the special session, but Beshear said there wasn't time to get into the issue, and it was better addressed in the regular session.The Senate convenes at 9:00 this morning.For more WFPL coverage of the Bluegrass Pipeline, click here.
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