Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Kinder Morgan Pipeline topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Caldwell County approves Kinder Morgan development, investment agreements for Bluebonnet pipeline
Summary
The commissioners approved a development agreement with Kinder Morgan for the Bluebonnet pipeline and a related investment agreement to accept a negotiated contribution (approximately $300,000) to distribute to county departments and schools; Kinder Morgan described a short construction schedule for a roughly 7.9‑mile, 24‑inch pipeline.
Lockhart, Caldwell County — The Caldwell County Commissioners Court voted Oct. 8 to approve a development agreement and associated investment agreement with Kinder Morgan for the Bluebonnet pipeline project.
County staff and Kinder Morgan representatives described the project as a relatively small pipeline compared with other regional projects: roughly 7.9 miles of 24‑inch pipe with a comparatively short construction schedule. Kinder Morgan said it had acquired needed easements and expected to finalize permits and start construction within roughly 30 days, with a target to complete main construction in the first calendar quarter following permit issuance.
In addition to the development agreement, the county and Kinder Morgan finalized an investment agreement described during the meeting as a negotiated contribution distributed to local departments and school districts. The judge and counsel referenced a contribution figure of approximately $300,000; county staff said those funds would be distributed across schools, the sheriff's office, volunteer fire departments and road maintenance equipment as has been done in prior projects.
Commissioners moved and approved both agreements during the meeting. Kinder Morgan representatives expressed appreciation for their working relationship with Caldwell County and said they would proceed on permit finalization and community investment distributions.
The court did not vote on or discuss on‑the‑ground construction scheduling details beyond the general timeline presented; commissioners said allocations from the investment agreement will be distributed following company payments and standard accounting procedures.
