Hand County authorizes emergency manager to seek intervener status in pipeline proceedings

Hand County commissioners voted to authorize the county emergency manager, Arlen, to apply for intervener status in pending Public Utilities Commission proceedings connected to a proposed pipeline, the commission decided during a planning-and-zoning session of its meeting.

The action gives the county the option to participate in PUC hearings related to a setback request tied to the pipeline application, county officials said during discussion. The commissioners and members of the public raised safety concerns and said having the emergency manager involved would allow the county to present positions and ask questions in the PUC process.

Resident Jay Poindexter asked the board to consider adding the county emergency manager as an intervener so the county would “have a voice” in the proceedings. Commissioners discussed past experience registering for intervener status and the paperwork involved; one commissioner said a previous filing produced a large volume of material to complete. The board noted the county would not be forced to use the status but would have the option to participate if issues arose.

Commissioners asked for and were told there is a submission deadline; a county official identified that deadline as Jan. 24. The motion to allow Arlen to make the application passed on a voice vote with the board answering “Aye.” The board did not adopt any ordinance or new local regulation in the matter; the vote only authorized the county emergency manager to apply for intervener status in the PUC proceeding.

The emergency manager told commissioners he was not opposed to applying if the board directed him to do so. The county will proceed to prepare and submit the PUC intervener application by the stated deadline if staff complete the required filing.