Oak Ridge residents urge council to oppose Williams Transco pipeline expansion

Dozens of Oak Ridge residents asked the Town of Oak Ridge Town Council to adopt a resolution opposing the proposed Williams Transco Southeast Supply Enhancement Project, saying the pipeline expansion would pose safety, water-contamination and property-value risks to neighborhoods, schools and churches.

The comments, delivered during a public-comment period dominated by the topic, urged the council to adopt a formal position and to forward that stance to the Guilford County Board of Commissioners and state officials. Community members also handed the council copies of a petition and a draft resolution of opposition signed by residents and supporters.

The request for a resolution was framed as both a public-safety and a land-use concern. “Oak Ridge First Baptist Church opposes the proposed expansion of the transcontinental gas pipeline due to the increased risks it poses to its members, Oak Ridge Town residents, and members of the surrounding communities,” said Austin Goldman, reading a statement on behalf of First Baptist Church, and adding that the church’s opposition is “on the basis of safety and not economics.” Several speakers asked the council to urge Williams Transco and federal regulators to consider no-build alternatives and to require full compensation for property owners, citing Chapter 48 of the North Carolina General Statutes and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission process.

Speakers described the existing pipeline as more than 70 years old, said some residents live within what they called a 1,100-foot blast zone, and noted schools, churches and parks near the proposed route. “We are requesting that the Oak Ridge Town Council, as our neighbor, please keep us safe,” said Joe Semball, who asked the council to pass a resolution and to press county and state officials to act. Several speakers called for an environmental-impact review and urged the council to use its voice to press the operator for thorough study and remediation of the existing line.

Claire Spear, who identified herself as an organizer and advocacy professional, delivered a three-point rationale for why a local resolution matters, citing examples where municipal opposition led state officials or operators to reexamine pipeline projects. “If William Transco knows that you’re skeptical of the project, they’re going to have to be on their best behavior,” she said, and handed the mayor and clerk copies of a draft resolution and a petition of signatures and comments from residents.

Speakers who live or work adjacent to the pipeline — including residents of Stonehenge, Pate Drive and Merriman Farm Road and representatives of Saint James AME and Oak Ridge Military Academy — described concerns about construction dust, groundwater contamination, risks to historic properties and disruption to homes and businesses. Pediatrician Jane Foy said she was especially worried about contaminant risks to children: “Children are much more sensitive to these kinds of environmental contaminants than are adults,” she said.

Council members did not take a vote on a resolution that evening. Council member Miss Snyder said she would like a full discussion of the issue and encouraged an environmental-impact-style review; she did not say whether she would support a resolution. Town staff acknowledged the council could add the request to a future agenda. Organizers asked the council to place a resolution on next month’s agenda so the council can vote after digesting the petition and text submitted by residents.

The council did not adopt any formal position during the meeting. Residents who sought the resolution left copies with the town clerk and asked the council to coordinate with the Guilford County Board of Commissioners and state regulators if the council chooses to act.

The public-comment session on the topic lasted for more than an hour and included both local property owners and representatives of religious congregations and advocacy groups. Speakers asked the council to use whatever local regulatory or advocacy levers it has — including formal resolutions — to press the operator and regulators to address safety, water and property impacts.

If the council places a resolution on a future agenda, the text the citizens provided asks the council to urge FERC to take into account protection of domestic water sources, public safety, residences, park property values and historic resources, and to request Williams Transco fully investigate no‑build alternatives and adequately compensate affected property owners in accordance with the statute cited in the draft (Chapter 48, North Carolina General Statutes).