A legislative committee will hear testimony tomorrow from the company that wants to build a natural gas liquids pipeline across Kentucky. State government employees and environmental advocates will also testify.Last month, the state Senate passed a resolution urging further studyof the Bluegrass Pipeline, but this meeting marks the first time lawmakers will formally hear from the project’s advocates and opponents.The proposed Bluegrass Pipeline would cross central Kentucky, carrying the byproducts of natural gas fracking from the Northeast to processing plants on the Gulf of Mexico. These natural gas liquids—like butane and propane—are profitable, and can be made into materials like plastics and rubber.The companies behind the project argue the pipeline is safe and will provide economic benefits to landowners when it crosses their property. But opponents are worried about the safety and environmental problems the pipeline could cause, as well as the possibility the companies will seek to use eminent domain.The Joint Committee on Natural Resources and Environment meets at 1 pm tomorrow in the Capitol Annex. Representatives from the Bluegrass Pipeline, the Kentucky Public Service Commission and the Energy and Environment Cabinet are on the agenda, as well as Tom FitzGerald of the Kentucky Resources Council.For more WFPL coverage of the Bluegrass Pipeline, click here.
