Residents urge council not to oppose Transco pipeline expansion; speakers note limits of town authority

Members of the public spoke during the June 5 meeting about the proposed Transco pipeline expansion, urging the council not to take an official position opposing the project and noting the town lacks jurisdiction over federal permitting.

Ben Walraven told council he had followed the issue and argued the town should not oppose the expansion. Walraven said oversight and permitting for the project rest with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and North Carolina agencies, and that the proposed pipeline would supply parts of central North Carolina. “The risk of the pipeline project is acceptable given the oversight Transco must follow,” Walraven said, and he asked council to “forego any effort to take a stand against this project and to continue to focus on matters where your authority makes a clear impact on Oak Ridge.”

Barbara Engel, who identified herself as a local resident with a pipeline on her property for 23 years, echoed Walraven’s point and said she had no problem with Williams (Williams Company/Williams Transco) and urged the council not to get involved. Both speakers acknowledged other residents’ safety and environmental concerns but emphasized that permitting, maintenance and safety oversight are state and federal responsibilities.

Council members did not take formal action on the pipeline during the meeting. The public-comment remarks make clear that residents are split — with ongoing interest in safety and environmental permitting — but that local authority to approve or deny the project is limited.

Because the town has no regulatory oversight of interstate pipeline siting or federal permitting, council members and staff present did not propose an ordinance or formal resolution on Transco at the meeting. Any future council action would require a separate agenda item and a discussion of legal authority and local objectives.