A Montgomery County judge has temporarily stopped Blackfin Pipeline LLC from building a compressor station near Bartholet Home Furnishings in Conroe. The Bartholet family filed a lawsuit, saying the project could violate land use rules and cause noise and air pollution. The injunction blocks the installation of equipment, pipeline testing, and blowdowns at the site until a full trial in May 2026, according to Click2Houston.
Blackfin Pipeline's project, including a four-compressor station and a 48-inch pipeline, could reach about 100 decibels and was planned directly behind the Bartholets' showroom. Court testimony showed that routine "blowdowns" to relieve pipeline pressure could happen up to 144 times a year. Blackfin's project manager said the company plans only one 15-minute blowdown per year. The Bartholets said a previous hydro-test caused a "deafening sound" so loud that police were called after employees had to cover their ears, as reported by Click2Houston
Judge Santini granted an injunction against Blackfin after the company chose a location for their station that was subject to restrictive covenants. Cody McGregor, a Blackfin spokesperson, said, "Safety is at the core of everything we do, and this project has been approved by all appropriate regulatory agencies including city and county officials," and stated that the company plans to appeal. Sarah Gwin Bartholet, co-owner of Bartholet Home Furnishings, said, "We fought not only for our livelihoods, but for our family and the community we love," as mentioned by Click2Houston. She also said, "Yesterday, land rights were upheld, and that's what matters. We will continue to fight to protect our property and our community," as per Houston Chronicle. The Bartholets will post the $5,000 bond for the injunction. The delayed construction affects the larger 193-mile Blackfin Pipeline.
