MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – The proposed Hope Gas, Inc. pipeline from Wadestown to the edge of Morgantown and then to an area near Osage is under review by the Public Service Commission (PSC).
On WAJR’s “Talk of the Town,” President and CEO Morgan O’Brien said the project is consistent with their company’s mission of creating economic development by expanding gas service.
“To align ourselves with the future of West Virginia,” O’Brien said. “We’re growing; we see more opportunities here, and we want to be in a position where we are an ally to growth, not an obstacle.”
This proposed line coming from the west would be added to the existing capacity provided by the main feed from the south. O’Brien said bringing more capacity to the market will give businesses and residents more opportunities for growth.
“It actually allows both Fairmont and Clarksburg to expand as well,” O’Brien said. “Because we can on the existing pipeline direct more of that capacity.”
The PSC has received several letters of support for the project from residents and businesses, according to O’Brien. In their filing with the PSC, the company said, “The project is needed for Hope to maintain reliable natural gas service to its existing customers in the Morgantown area, and is not being undertaken to specifically serve a new customer or new customer project.”
“We’re hoping it is not a major decision point for them,” O’Brien said. “Our sense is they’ll be supportive of it as well, based on everybody so far being highly supportive of the project.”
Portions of the filing, including cost estimates, have been redacted to the general public to prevent bid contamination and preserve negotiations for rates when the project is complete. Obrien said the company would recover costs in future base-rate and purchase gas adjustment proceedings.
Detailed maps showing the proposed route have also been redacted to the public due to security reasons.
“Because once it’s out there, even though all of us have good intentions, you just don’t know who would have access to that,” O’Brien said. “And that puts the public at risk.”
O’Brien said the project will create 400 to 600 jobs, and they have been working with local union leaders to make sure the workers will be available. When complete, Obrien expects another wave of job creation through the expansion of existing businesses and the addition of new ones.
“We all know local gas drilled here is not only good for the economy, but it’s cheaper than bringing gas in from out-of-state,” O’Brien said. “So, we think there are a lot of economic benefits.”