Residents and business owners in Conroe, Texas, are voicing strong opposition to a natural gas compressor station currently under construction by Blackfin Pipeline. Tension has escalated with threats of leaving the area from homeowners and legal actions taken by local businesses concerned about the safety and proximity to residential and commercial structures, as reported by Click2Houston.
Running less than 150 feet alongside Bartholet Home Furnishings, the station sits alarmingly close to this long-standing family business. Sarah Bartholet Gwin, co-owner, highlighted the lack of a "buffer zone" and the risks it poses, expressing concerns in a poignant address to Click2Houston, "All we're asking is to move it to a safer location." Demonstrating the severity of the issue, a map presented by an engineer for the family depicted a potential explosion impact radius engulfing the vicinity of the furniture store and the adjacent highway. These fears are shared by Conroe City Council members, who expressed dismay at not being informed about the project, with unanimous easement approval in hindsight now casting a shadow of regret.
Adding to the mix is a call from Texas Rep. Will Metcalf for a halt and a public hearing on the compressor stations. The Houston Chronicle obtained a letter from Metcalf to the Texas Railroad Commission, in which he emphasized the "extreme" risk the project could pose to local families and businesses. On the other hand, Blackfin Pipeline spokesperson Cody McGregor assured the safety and economic benefits of the pipeline, stating to the Houston Chronicle that the project "will not displace any homes or businesses" and is vital for Texas.
At the center of the conflict, the Bartholet family’s lawsuit seeks a temporary restraining order to stop construction. The company insists the compressor station is needed to meet the state’s growing natural gas demands. The Conroe Council is still reviewing the facts ahead of its Thursday meeting, with Councilwoman Shana Arthur saying the goal is to ensure “everything reasonably possible is done to protect the citizens,” according to the Houston Chronicle.
