Monongalia County Commission authorizes signature authority for Hope Gas measuring station agreement pending indemnification language

The Monongalia County Commission voted to give the commission president authority to sign an agreement with Hope Gas Inc. that would allow the company to install measuring and regulating equipment on county Development Authority property once final indemnification language is agreed by attorneys for both the Mon County Development Authority and the county commission.

The authorization matters because the equipment would be placed on public property tied to an existing pipeline, and the indemnification language is the remaining legal detail before Hope Gas can proceed. During the meeting a resident warned the commission that earlier pipeline-related right-of-way actions in the western part of the county had harmed property owners, underscoring local concern about pipeline projects and property impacts.

Hope Gas seeks an easement for a measuring and regulating station in relation to the Longview Powers pipeline project. Commission discussion focused on the pending indemnification wording; staff and both sets of attorneys have negotiated the draft and only a few points remained unresolved at the meeting. The motion approved granted the commission president authority to sign the agreement if the final indemnification language is consistent with the draft and attorney review. Commissioners said that if the language changes substantially the matter must return to the commission for further action.

Resident Mary Ann Folz raised concerns during public comment about prior pipeline activity in the county, saying several residents “had property basically, eminent domain away from them in terms of their gas, for in order to put in a gas right away. And, they were paid way under the going rate.” The commission did not take new action on compensation or eminent-domain law during the meeting; Folz’s remarks were taken as public comment and recorded in the minutes.

The motion carried on a voice vote. Commissioners present indicated assent; the commission president will sign the agreement only after both counsels confirm the indemnification language.

If attorneys cannot agree on the indemnification terms, commissioners said the agreement will return to the commission for further consideration.