Nearly two months ago, the Wood County Commissioners took a bold stance against pipelines proposed to
crisscross the county.
They asked more than a dozen officials to stand with them in seeking better planning for the pipelines.

But all they heard were crickets chirping.
The commissioners had passed a resolution pointing out several potential problems with the four pipelines
proposed to cut through the county, and asked for input from the four pipeline companies, three
environmental or energy agencies, and six elected officials.
They heard back nothing.
So they sent out another letter, again asking others to join them in seeking "plan that makes
sense."
More crickets.
According to County Administrator Andrew Kalmar, the commissioners heard from none of the state or
federal officials elected to serve the county. They did hear from one pipeline official who wanted to
talk – but only if it could be behind closed doors out of earshot of the public.
"This is disappointing," the commissioners wrote of the lack of response to their request for
help and information.
The residents of Wood County and their commissioners deserve to know the plans the powerful pipeline
companies have to turn the county into a patchwork of underground lines. They have every right to ask
that the four companies try to work together to create a corridor of pipelines.
In their resolution adopted in March, commissioners Jim Carter, Doris Herringshaw and Joel Kuhlman
objected to all pipeline projects proposed to run through Wood County until they get better information
on how the lines benefit the area.
"First, the routes of the proposed pipelines appear to be drawn randomly, with little regard for who
or what, such as our fertile farm ground, might be disrupted if they are actually constructed,"
Carter said during the State of the County address in March. "Second, there appears to be little or
no coordination or cooperation among the pipeline companies or the agencies that regulate them.
Therefore, Wood County and our neighboring counties are subject to multiple pipeline projects, placed at
the whim of these companies.
"Third, there is no direct benefit to the citizens of Wood County from any of these proposed
pipeline projects."
The commissioners suggested the pipelines be placed within a defined corridor along the right-of-way near
highways to minimize the impact on private property.
Herringshaw said a natural gas pipeline installed on her family’s farm 40 to 50 years ago still causes a
noticeable drop-off in production.
"To this day you can see right where that pipeline goes across my dad’s field."
And the tax revenue promised to local entities seems to be based on unsubstantiated numbers, Kuhlman
said.
"There’s been a number that’s been stated, but they’re unwilling to explain that number, which
causes us concern that that number may be inaccurate. It’s our job to figure that out," he said.

Most would agree that pipelines are the most efficient and safe way to transport highly explosive natural
gas. But that’s of little consolation for the landowners who will have the pipelines as new neighbors.

So the least the pipeline companies can do is be honest about the ramifications, be fair in their
payments, and be accessible for questions. And the least the other elected officials can do is join the
county commissioners in putting pressure on the pipeline people to consider reasonable options.