Property owners along the proposed natural gas pipeline route in Bennington and Rutland Counties got taken on a roller-coaster ride last week.

Following Manchester's unanimous vote at its Town Meeting in opposition to the gas project on Saturday, March 4, Governor Howard Dean took the opportunity to proclaim the gas pipeline route dead at Arlington's Town Meeting on Monday, March 6, as reported in the Rutland Herald, March 7, 2000: " Pipeline route is dead, Dean says"

The article refers to the "pipeline route in the Route 7 corridor" -- a common misconception that keeps being repeated. Only one-third of its route runs along Route 7. For two-thirds of its route, this high-pressure pipeline is proposed to run through private property that can be taken by eminent domain under current law. Concerns about the uncertainty of the route through Sunderland resulted in a near-unanimous vote in opposition to the project at their Town Meeting on Monday, March 6, 2000.

The governor said, "At some point you have to listen to the voters."

But the governor did not address the power plants, and the newspaper article left the impression that there were efforts to bring pipelines and power plants into Rutland and Bennington via other routes. At best, the situation in the wake of the governor's statement was perplexing and confusing. Was the whole project dead? Does the governor support the power plants if they can be fueled by a different route?

On Saturday, March 11, the Rutland Herald ran another story that clarified the situation, at least as far as the pipeline companies are concerned: " Gas pipeline supporters say Route 7 path still alive"

VCE also contacted the pipeline companies last week and was told:

• Bill Hansen, Project Coordinator, Iroquois Transmission Company:
  • The project is "on hold" in wait of plant funding and Iroquois remains ready to file within "24-hours" of a new determination.
• George Bonner, VP, NYSEG:
  • The New York State Electric & Gas Company is considering "a number of ways" to serve Bennington and Rutland.
  • The recent happening is analogous to hitting a "pothole". "The project is not dead."
  • NYSEG is prepared to file within "24-hours" of need.
• Bruce Roloson, Manager of Sales, Marketing and Community Relations, NYSEG:
  • The New York State Electric & Gas Company has "no communication with Governor Dean."
  • "The industry has devoted large resources to move this project forward."
  • "The project is on hold". Maybe for "12-18 months".

For the past year, the citizens of southwestern Vermont have been reacting to the actions of New York State Electric & Gas, as well as Vermont Energy Park Holdings and Iroquois Transmission Co. We have learned first-hand about the corporate mentality of these companies. We are concerned that they show no respect for the citizens whose lives they are disrupting.

We attended meetings where we gave the promoters every opportunity to tell us clearly about their plans. We did not like what we heard. Our selectboards rejected their plans. Citizens voted to reject their plans. Now the governor joins us in rejecting at least part of their plan. Thank you, Governor Dean.

This gas project is analogous to the Greek myth about Hydra, the 9-headed monster. Hercules was sent to destroy Hydra. He struck off its heads with his club, but in the place of the head knocked off, two new ones grew forth each time. Hercules ultimately succeeded in killing Hydra.

So how do we kill this gas project once and for all?

Vermonters for a Clean Environment plans to continue informing the public, raising public awareness, organizing landowners and informing them of their rights, researching federal and state laws and regulations, keeping abreast of current energy information, and lobbying for changes in Vermont's laws that will protect Vermonters from the kinds of abuses that have arisen during this proposal's 18-month life. If there is a filing with the Public Service Board, VCE's lawyers and experts will be prepared to protect the interests of Vermonters.