David Herbert, in his editorial on April 29, 2015, pledged his support and the support of the Greater Susquehanna Valley Chamber of Commerce to the Sunbury Pipeline. Together they have chosen to stand side by side with big business from out of town and out of state.
David Herbert should know that the Sunbury Pipeline project does not need the support of the Chamber; after all, it is part of a massive federal initiative to become energy self-sufficient. The Sunbury Pipeline is part of a joint venture between Panda Energy Funds, a private equity firm headquartered in Texas and Sunbury Generation LP. The construction of the Pipeline will be by UGI Energy Services which operates across nine states. They use Western Land Services to confiscate property along the route for compensation that ranges $5 - $25 per foot. Western Land Services has secured over 7 million acres of property for their clients. They leave behind property that is unusable by the landowner, yet still taxable. In return we are promised 27 jobs at the power plant, temporary jobs during the construction phase and the hope that businesses will move to the area incentivized by tax free zones and access to gas. Wonderful things for sure, but do they need to be at the expense of our neighbors?
Shortly after the community meeting the pipeline was diverted through several private properties in our community. A representative from Western Land Services informed me that the reason for the change came from the fact that negotiations between PP&L and UGI had broken down and therefore they would now condemn the properties along Shamokin Dam and Monroe Township Lines. Obviously, it’s not about feasibility, it’s about the dollar.
Wouldn’t it be great if David Herbert and the Chamber had chosen to stand side by side with their neighbors to ensure that these companies dig a little deeper into their pockets to run the pipeline around existing neighborhoods rather than through and along existing right-of-ways rather than create new ones? Wouldn’t it be great if the Chamber would fight for the trees along our neighbors’ properties that were put there as a buffer to the mall? Wouldn’t it be great if the Chamber supported our neighbors who may lose future building lots and access to their gardens all in the name of profits?
I encourage local economic development leaders to reconsider their allegiance and invite them to stand side by side with their neighbors who have built and supported this region for generations. The promise of boom is often followed by bust, as experienced along many parts of the Northern Tier. Whether it will be boom or bust for our community remains to be seen. Let’s not lose sight of the fact that the true treasure in the valley is the good people that make this a great place to live and raise our families.
Donald O’Hora
Shamokin Dam
Contact dohora@upyouryard.com
Other letters to the editor about pipeline
Incorrect conclusion letter referenced by Herbert
Convince Me |
