As the ET Rover route has (apparently) shifted to the north, we’ve noticed lots of new traffic at the blog, likely seeking more information– since ET Rover doesn’t appear to be providing much. We are happy to try and offer whatever little bit of assistance we can for those seeking to learn more. So here are a few links and bullet points that might helpful by way of some basics about the project:
We’ll start by laying our cards on the table: we here at the Line 6B Citizens’ Blog oppose the ET Rover project. We don’t just oppose the proposed (or formerly proposed) route. We oppose the whole project. If it is approved, it will mean the taking of private land for corporate profit. It will bring very little benefit to Michiganders because most of the gas it will transport is destined for Canada (and elsewhere). Finally, it is not a “public necessity,” as Energy Transfer and FERC themselves both agreed just last year.
Secondly, it’s important to understand how the approval process for a project like this works. That information is available at the agency responsible for regulating interstate natural gas pipelines, the Federal Regulatory Energy Commission (FERC). Right now is what’s called the “pre-filing” stage. ET Rover won’t officially file their application with FERC until January. Review of that application will take time: probably about two years. So this pipeline isn’t going to be built tomorrow.
Thirdly, in addition to understanding the process, landowners need to know their rights in case the project is approved. FERC provides a citizen’s guide with some basic information. An even better resource for landowners is available from the Pipeline Safety Trust.
Finally, citizens have a voice in these proceedings. If you are opposed to this project (for whatever reason) or if you are in favor of it, for that matter, you can file a comment with FERC. Instructions on how to do so are here. You can also read the comments of others.
In addition to those resources, we would also offer (humbly) a few quick words of advice based on our own experience as landowners with a pipeline on our property:
- Don’t trust land agents. We’re sure some of them are honest and professional. And many of them are perfectly pleasant people. But their interests are NOT your interests. Their job is to tell you pleasing things. But those pleasing things often do not correspond to reality. Be skeptical. Protect yourself.
- Understand eminent domain. They can’t (and don’t want to) take your house or your whole property. They only want to access a portion of it. If they do get that easement, they do not own that part of your property. You do. Their are restrictions on what they (and you) can do with that portion of your property.
- Money isn’t everything. A certain monetary offer for easement rights might sound appealing. But keep in mind that there are many, many more things that come with the installation of a pipeline on your property. The stress, strain, disruption, destruction of your property, and potential accidents might well make whatever dollar amount you are eventually offered seem not so great in retrospect.
- Lastly, if it does come down to negotiating an easement (though again, this is probably two years away), consult an attorney with experience in this area. There are dozens of things that the ordinary landowner would never think of that could be a potential problem. Just ramble through our archives (like these posts) and you’ll see what we mean.
Oh, and one additional thing: we will keep up with events as best we can and post information here. But sometimes it’s easier and faster to post updates on our Facebook page. Please join us there if you are on social media.
Thank you so much for the information. You are right about it moving north and people are not happy.
I would love to shove the eminent domain law up the Judge’s ass that allowed it to come about in the first place. I have land with my parent, just two acre’s but they’ll take it and run the pipeline across on an angle and the property will be worthless to build on! We have had this land in the family for 40 years!
HI Jeff great stuff as always – I know that the ET Rover propaganda machine has stated the line will not go through Oakland County, But, while trying to analyze that great map of theirs “NOT” could it be anymore vague? – I am worried that the section up near the Oakland – Lapeer county line is still going to be used – though I live in Oakland county proper – Lapeer County border is merely yards away – worried that myself and neighbors at the Northern end of Line 6B – will be affected by ET Rover – we are scarce in numbers and probably don’t have the pull that communities such as Rochester Hills, Oakland Township etc. have. To all that read this please pass along and get informed and as always Rage against the dying of the Light !
Thank you for the information. Since we had a knock on our door on a Sunday afternoon three weeks ago, our lives have turned into a flurry of research. Your blog has been very informative. Aura, are you in Lapeer County?
Happy to be able to help, Sharon. Glad to know that folks in Lapeer are becoming active. That’s very important. Please keep me updated on developments from your end. Let others know about the blog as well, please.
Jeff E.T. Rover had a meeting tonight for people in Groveland Twp. E.T. Rover is wanting to put pipeline under a small ski lake on Groveland Rd. A friend of mine called me as it will go thru their property. She was very upset and E.T. was up to their same old tricks.
Hi Sharyn, yes we are in Lapeer. The key is getting the word out to your neighbors to write into FERC, calling your government reps and asking the townships (in the whole county) to pass resolutions against the pipeline (then make sure they send copies to all the other townships as well as FERC, state and fed reps.)There’s a meeting in Hadley at the township offices. The county is invited if you’d like to come Sept 9 @ 7:30
Good to hear about the meeting in Hadley, Aura. Can you tell me anything else about it? Who will be conducting it? Who will be presenting information? Thanks.
Hi Jeff,
I don’t believe the township has been able to get Jeff Axt to come (I’ve asked but still don’t know) so it will just be the township officials and concerned citizens who have tried to educate themselves. Any start is a good one…In my experience, one out of every 3 people I’ve spoken to doesn’t really understand how this pipeline will affect them.
If anyone from Oakland County that has a personal experience with the pipeline companies on their properties (current or proposed) would like to come, I’m sure there will be an open forum were they can share.
My husband and I will be there Tuesday night, along with any neighbors we can find. Thanks for the information.
Okay, thanks. Unfortunately, I won’t be able to make it. But please share this blog with people. It’s meant to be a helpful resource for landowners and concerned citizens. This “basics” post in particular will be helpful because it has links to the Pipeline Safety Trust landowner’s guide and very important information about eminent domain. And it’s also very important to impress upon people that having a pipeline installed on your property can be a nightmare– nothing like the simple, smooth, and painless process land agents (whom you can NOT trust) will talk about. This blog is full of stories of just how awful it can be.
I will.
I received this email from CREDO in today’s mail (Sunday, September 07) and thought it should be shared with your website. I’m sure you all know this well already but in case there are those who do not, please read the following from CREDO:
http://share.credoaction.com/4/9101?action_id=162360005&akid=.4138993.cznXic&ar=1&form_name=act&rd=1&taf=1
Subject: I just signed, will you? Canadian tar sands company Enbridge is trying to pull off a shady and illegal tar sands pipeline expansion scheme – and the State Department is letting them! Please join me in urging President Obama and John Kerry to reject this scheme now: http://act.credoaction.com/sign/enbridge_scheme?sp_ref=55976695.4.9101.e.34379.2&referring_akid=.4138993.cznXic&source=mailto_sp
Tell Barack Obama and John Kerry: Reject Enbridge’s illegal tar sands pipeline scheme
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Last week the State Department quietly posted documents revealing that it is allowing Canadian pipeline company Enbridge to move ahead with a shady and illegal pipeline expansion project that could nearly double the amount of tar sands crude pumped into the U.S. through its Alberta Clipper pipeline, in clear violation of its existing permit.1
Enbridge is responsible for the Kalamazoo tar sands disaster, the largest inland oil-spill in U.S. history.
But shockingly, the State Department is green-lighting this scheme without giving public notice of its decision, without conducting a detailed environmental review, and without a finding of “national interest,” as required for Keystone XL and other new pipeline projects.
Expanding tar sands production, by any means, will lead to “essentially game over” in our fight against climate change. So it is crucial that we strongly challenge this decision.
Tell Secretary Kerry and President Obama: Stop Enbridge’s dangerous and illegal tar sands pipeline expansion scheme.
Enbridge has been trying since 2012 to get a presidential permit to expand the Alberta Clipper from its current permitted capacity of 450,000 barrels per day to 800,000 barrels per day.
Thanks in large part to our public pressure, activists have stalled approvals for this tar sands project and others, like the Keystone XL pipeline. So Enbridge concocted a dangerous scheme that essentially amounts to smuggling to get their filthy product across the border.
Instead of carrying tar sands across the border on the Clipper pipeline directly, Enbridge is diverting the tar sands flow to an adjacent 47-year-old pipeline, where it will travel 20 miles across the US border into Minnesota, then back to the Clipper pipeline. Disturbingly, the aging “Line 3” was not designed to carry toxic and corrosive tar sands crude, yet would be operating at more than double its current capacity.
Yes, this is a proven recipe for disaster: The 2013 Mayflower Arkansas spill was caused by a rupture of the similarly aging Pegasus pipeline, which had been also co-opted to carry tar sands crude.
Tell Secretary Kerry and President Obama: Stop Enbridge’s dangerous and illegal tar sands pipeline expansion scheme.
The quiet State Department approval of Enbridge’s pipeline scheme stands in clear violation of the process required to approve new tar sands infrastructure, and the National Interest Determination test the President set for Keystone XL: If the project significantly increases carbon pollution, it should not be approved.
This project, which could carry about half as much crude as Keystone XL, clearly fails that test.
It’s possible that President Obama and Secretary Kerry did not know about this decision, in which case they could intervene and put a stop to it. But if they do nothing, it will seriously call into question the President’s commitment to fighting climate change, and commitment to the test he himself set for ensuring that tar sands pipeline projects do not make climate change worse.
Only time will tell. But now is the time to raise our voices against the State Department’s approval of Enbridge’s dangerous and illegal tar sands pipeline expansion scheme.
Thanks for taking action.
1. “State Department Approves Illegal Scheme for Doubling Tar Sands Flowing through the Great Lakes,” National Wildlife Federation, 8/25/14
Hi,
Just wanted to let you know we had a “full house” at the Hadley Township meeting last night and anticipate the same at the RT Rover open house in Metamora. Hadley Township passed their resolution and a couple other township supervisors came and we’re asking everyone to call the other townships and have them follow suite. LOT’S of people are worried and looking for information so we shared this this blog and many handouts. I know that our township asked Mr. Axt to come do a one time presentation so we could invite all townships and get the information out there. We’re under the clock and really trying to self educate and have been running full bore on this (flyers, informational packets, etc) but wish (if he still reads this blog) he could spare a couple hours because we could use some help. I think we have a real chance to move this out if we ALL stick together.
Jeff one question I have is how much time do the townships have to file resolutions once the route was moved (the way I read it was 60 days) and what’s the next logical step for them?
Thanks,
Aura
This is great news, Aura! I’m so glad to hear that citizens and township boards are so active and are taking action! That’s SO important. As for timing, there is no deadline. Comments can be filed at any time during this pre-filing period and Rover won’t officially file until January 2015 (so they say). So you don’t need to worry too much about a ticking clock. And keep in mind, too, that the review of the application one it is filed will take probably two years.
Having said that, there probably isn’t much chance that they will NOT file an application, which means this things will be routed somewhere. At that point, the game changes and intervenors will need to file LEGAL challenges, although public comments will be accepted then as well. That’s going to take a very different kind of organizing– and money.
But we’re not there yet. Right now, resolutions, large numbers of citizen comments and education and outreach are the things that need to happen.
I’m hoping to do a blog post on this process some time soon. Please stay tuned. And thanks for your great efforts!!
Great to see this board opening up – if anyone has a link or a picture of the proposed ET Rover route – now that it is suppose to not go through Oakland Co – I would appreciate it – so far what I have seen is really vague – thank you in advance
Hi, Paul. I don’t know if this is any better than what you’ve seen:
http://energytransfer.com/ops_etrover.aspx
It is from the Energy Transfer site. Links to all the maps of the proposed route are on the lower right of the screen. Make sure you scroll down after linking to an individual area in order to view all the maps of that area.
Hi Sharyn,
it was nice meeting you (in person) at the Township. I got word that we really need to work on the County commissioners, they’re not really concerned “yet” so anyone you know that can call them would be helpful! Also, thinking of a petition….
Anything other ideas?
So glad to meet you and your husband at the meeting. I will get the word out about the county commissioners. Are you thinking of a county wide petition, or township by township? I’ve never been involved in something like that, but we would help with anything. As far as other ideas- maybe get the tv stations and newspapers to Metamora?
Hi Sharyn, yes all of that. We have three townships on board now, just have to keep digging!
We need volunteers to take the petition to the different townships and get signatures as soon as we get the forms printed. If you or your neighbors could help?
The plan:
Get signatures to petition the county to become involved
Call news media (in and out of County) about the ET Rover open house
Write/call townships and county asking them to write resolutions
Get someone that can post petition on Facebook
Any other ideas are most welcome!!
A
I agree with you, Jeff. Aura, you guys have really stepped up! I can gather neighbors to help with the petitions. Which townships are on board for sure?
Looking back I see that my posts may seem selfish – apologies for that – We have experienced Enbridge for the past 3 years and don’t want anyone to think my stance is “as long as it isn’t going through my back yard” just looking for information and am here to answer any questions to landowners that are possibly faced with this project –
Such wonderful work, Aura! I am happy to post the petition to Facebook (and here). Just let me know.
Jeff and Sharyn thank you! Do i post it here? I don’t do facebook so I’m unsure of how it works.
also see below:
Hi All,
I thought I’d share some information with you regarding an exchange with the Survey Crew person for ET Rover this morning when my neighbor called to inform me survey crews were parked on our road. In speaking with him I informed him that they did not have permission to survey on our property. I asked him if they were aware of property lines and he indicated that they didn’t have survey/plot maps with them for the initial surveys being done today (seems like they should if they don’t want to trespass) and that he “assumed” there was an easement to travel along. I told him if his survey people weren’t trained that could be an issue. My neighbor also went out and had to inform them where the property lines were. He immediately called the men in the field to instruct them to stay off our properties and outlined what we had told him.
After this part of the conversation, he informed me that they had been having armed security details accompany them (I have a good part of this on video) for landowners that “had given them permission”. When I questioned him he said the reason for that was that people were “going to shoot them” and it was “for our safety and the land owners” “because they (survey crews) didn’t give them 24 hr notice” and people were unaware of why they were on the property. Didn’t make a whole lot of sense to me, but now we know what we could be dealing with.
In closing, we have three town ships on board for resolutions and that’s just in two weeks of working. The County isn’t interested in helping YET so we need to change their mind and remind them it’s their duty to stand behind the residents. We CAN get other townships to draft their resolutions. PLEASE.. if you don’t agree with this…GET ACTIVE! Call or write the townships, newspapers, friends and neighbors! Write your letters to FERC. It’s now or never and we have a good chance!!!!
Aura, you can email me the petition for posting: jinsko99@gmail.com
Hi Jeff,
Thank you I did this morning, we were out all weekend pounding the pavement. My Husband got to spend about 15 Min with Mr. Kevin Daley this morning in Imlay City before work. He said there were other people there talking about this pipeline (an excellent sign) and that he would try to come to the ET Rover open house meeting! The meeting is at the Lions Club in Metamora, 3790 Oak Street, wed 9/17 5:30- 7:30. Everyone( from anywhere) should come and show them how unwanted they are here in MI. Also, we’re asking people that have already submitted letters to FERC to bring copies of your letters to give to the FERC rep that is supposed to be on site (or Mr. Daley if he comes) as a show of bonded community.
Thanks again for everything!
Thank you Sharyn !
Aura,
I live in Livingston County, the survey crews do have security guards with them, as well as, a sheriff deputy. Witnessed today! The security guard that came to my house was a former police chief in the next township over. He lied too me to try and gain access to my property. Glad I was home. I reported the security guard to FERC.
This must stop. Is there a current petition that I can get a copy of to take to all my neighbors for signatures? Also, I have been in contact with the South East Michigan Land Conservancy that owns the Lost Lake property and they are very much interested in doing whatever they can to stop this outrage.
Jeff and Sharyn-
We also wanted to let everyone know that we got a 10 min radio interview on US 103.1 with Carl Coffey tomorrow. Sept 16th 7:50 am. Please pass to anyone you know.
Aura
Great! We have also been busy getting the word out to anyone who will listen. Please let me know when you have petitions available and how we can help. Maybe we can get together so we can divide up some of the work. You have been working non stop and it is appreciated.
Oh yes Sharyn! We have petitions ready and i can meet you at the township whenever you would like to get them. Just let me know what will work for you.
Aura
My husband or I can meet you anytime. How about tomorrow, if you are available during the day, or Thursday, anytime? I’m hoping it will be too crowded to do it tomorrow night 🙂
Thanks, Aura! Great news. Please keep me updated. If there’s a link to the interview, I’ll be sure to share it.
Also, did anyone see the Benton Township (MI) gas rupture last night? Mandatory evacuations but no evac route or plan. Shows how unprepared counties are for this type of accident.
Aura
Sorry typo…Berrien County.
Hi Sharyn,
How about I meet you at noon tomorrow at Hadley Township Bld?
Let me know!
Aura
I realized I have an appointment at 11:00, so I could meet you at 10:00 or 12:15 tomorrow at the Hadley twp office. Will either of those times work for you?
Oops! I meant 10:00 or after 1:15.
Hi Sharyn,
1:15 would be fine. You going to the meeting tonight?
1:15 it is. Yes, we will be there. You can also reach me at Redoak813@aol.com
Would anyone be interested in putting together a “Citizens Against ET Rover” group? Perhaps each township could have a representative or contact person to help others get information or aid those who would like to submit comments to FERC, etc. Maybe an organized, grass roots show of force for Genesee, Lapeer and St. Clair Counties would help our cause.
Viki, I’m not sure where you are located, but you can contact me at RedOak813@aol.com. Our neighborhood is having a planning session on Sunday, October 5 in Lapeer Township. Hadley and Lapeer Townships are both planning informational meetings and may need help.
Informational meeting scheduled by Lapeer Township on ET ROVER PIPELINE:
Friday, October 10
7:00 PM Hunters Creek Community Church
2471 Metamora Rd. Lapeer, MI 48446
There will be speakers, but I do not have their names at this time. I will update info as it comes in.
Please share
Updated information regarding the October 10 meeting:
Hadley and Lapeer Townships are working together to bring information to citizens about how to effectively make any complaints/comments known to FERC and to learn how this pipeline may affect our property and community. They are still working on the details, but are concerned about the amount of seating vs. the expected number of attendees. Maybe those considering attending could send one spouse or a neighborhood representative, who could then relay the information to several people. Free tickets for admittance are being considered. I didn’t think about it when I was talking to Mr. Jarvis (Lapeer Township Supervisor), but maybe there is someone out there that could record the meeting and put it on Youtube or some other website. Mr. Jarvis stressed the fact that he would like this to be an informational meeting, not just a forum for complaints (my words, not his). They realize that most of us do not support this pipeline route. The meeting will be held for 1 ½ hours and he would like to make sure that the speakers have time to present their ideas and that citizens hear all of the information
This is so important because there are too many vague and unfortunately, according to FERC, unsubstantial remarks in opposition to the pipeline. From what I heard FERC is mainly concerned about the environmental impacts and hearing other suggested routes, and far less concerned about how it impacts us personally; home value, dangers, etc. -although all of that should be stated. I am glad that the townships are working to provide information to citizens about how to effectively make any complaints/comments known to FERC.
Washtenaw County Commissioners Working Session – informational meeting on ET Rover Pipeline
Thursday, October 2nd
6:30pm County Administration Building
220 N. Main St. Ann Arbor MI
Jeff Axt will be presenting to the Commisioners. Enlarged maps of the proposed pipeline path will be avaiable for viewing as well.
Meeting of property owners along the proposed ET Rover route in Lenawee County, Wednesday Oct 1st at 6:30 pm. West Adrian Church 4545 Wolf Creek Hwy Adrian MI. This meeting is not sponsored by anyone or any group, it’s just something people in this area have put together to discuss the issues with the pipeline project and how best to proceed.
I am a 53 year old woman who moved here to take care of my 87 year old mother. At first ET Rover representatives came to my door and very pleasantly tried to get me to sign paperwork to give them permission to enter the land. When I refused to sign, they sent a registered letter explaining that they had the right to enter my land. Then on the 29th of September, the surveying crew showed up. The Mundy Supervisor was there because and tried to get information for the ET Rover head representative. The ET rep became irate and ranted about how we land owners were being to unreasonable. After the Supervisor left to consult with the township attorney, ET’s crew showed up and the representative came to my door again. I stayed inside and said that I couldn’t physically stop him, but I didn’t want them on my land. The crew, Including a female “Security Officer” preceded to come onto the land. My brother in law told them to leave and they did. He had a shotgun with him so they left quickly.
On September 30, 2014, the day after my brother in law chased them off my land, ET Rover employees snuck onto my land and completed their survey. I have filed a complaint with the Mundy Township Police and today I am filing complaints with state and federal authorities today.
I submitted a comment on ET Rover’s permit review as suggested in this BLOG and will encourage my neighbors to do the same. I also filed complaints today with the MI Attorney General and US Department of Justice. Please let me know if there are other agencies that I should contact.
Do you know what exactly the “quarter mile buffer” zone represents on the maps of the pipeline route? My property is just outside of this zone, my neighbor’s is in it. I haven’t had any contact from ET Rover, but neither have my neighbors. I’m trying to figure out what the significance is of being in the buffer zone. Does it limit building on that property? Have safety consequences? Involve easements?
Beth, I looked into this question some time back. It is my understanding that that is the width of the survey, which allows them a little wiggle room for siting the precise easement/pipeline placement. The survey width may even be an expectation from FERC, although I am not certain of that.
I live on Toma Road and like everyone on the road I already have an easement for a much smaller pipeline running through my property. It’s not really a big deal. The ET Rover pipeline is another matter all together.
For those still trying to find a detailed map, I found these at the Ann Arbor District Library website:
http://www.aadl.org/etrover
There is a PDF link at the top of the description, be sure to click on it.
It may not be exactly up to date but it is by far the most comprehensive map I’ve seen for the project. The images are large, detailed and both topographic and Google Earth based satellite maps are provided. The quarter mile buffer is clearly illustrated as well. Don’t waste your time trying find anything better from ET Rover. If you know of areas where the proposed route has been moved, please say so and share this map link with anyone.