Commissioners approve Blackcomb pipeline permits, addendum allowing open-cut on three county roads

The Jim Wells County Commissioners Court approved permit applications from Blackcomb Pipeline LLC to install a 42‑inch natural gas pipeline that will cross six county roads and later approved an addendum allowing open-cut crossings for three specified county roads.

At the June 9 court meeting, Leslie Carey of Northfleet Land Services, who said she represents Blackcomb Pipeline LLC, described the project as “installing a 42 inches natural gas uncased steel pipe from Martin County all the way to Agua Dulce to a compressor station there.” Carey said the company expects to begin construction in August or September and identified MPG as the contractor the firm has awarded for the Jim Wells County work.

The court voted to grant permits for the six road crossings and later approved an addendum to change the crossing method from boring to open cut for County Roads 145, 173 and 331. Carey told the court the asphalt roads will be bored while “the caliche, the dark roads will be open cut.” She also said the company will address any later settlement issues during the roughly year-long construction period.

Why it matters: The approvals allow a major natural gas pipeline to cross county roads and authorize construction methods the company said would vary by road surface. Commissioners discussed repair and inspection follow-up; Carey said Blackcomb will respond to settlement complaints and provide contractor contact information to the county.

Vote and outcome: Court record shows motions to approve both the permit set and the addendum carried under voice votes. No individual roll-call vote tallies were provided in the public transcript.

No additional conditions, bonds or special mitigation measures were recorded in the court’s remarks during the permit approvals.