City officials in Conroe denied surveyors access to a municipal wastewater treatment plant tied to a proposed $2.3 billion natural gas pipeline project. Leaders say they lack sufficient information to support the project's progress.
City officials in Conroe have denied surveyors entry to the Southwest Wastewater Treatment Plant. This decision is part of the preliminary work related to the Mustang Express Pipeline, a significant $2.3 billion natural gas project intended to traverse multiple counties in Southeast Texas.
A 240-mile pipeline, initiated by ARM Energy Holdings LLC, is set to transport up to 2.5 billion cubic feet of natural gas daily from Colorado County to Jefferson County. The proposed route is set to traverse through Montgomery, Waller, Liberty, Walker, and Harris counties. The project is currently in the planning, surveying, and right-of-way acquisition stages. Construction is slated to commence in 2028, with service anticipated to begin by late 2028 or in 2029.
City leaders have stated that their decision to deny access is based on concerns about incomplete information from the pipeline company and insights from a prior project.
During Thursday's city council meeting, Assistant City Administrator Norm McGuire emphasized, "We are standing steadfast here that we don’t have enough information." Staff members have expressed their inability to support any aspect of the recommendation to proceed with this project.
City staff, according to McGuire, are keen to prevent a recurrence of the complications experienced during the Blackfin Pipeline project. This project had previously proposed the construction of a high-pressure natural gas compressor station near Interstate 45 and Loop 336.
In a significant development this October, officials linked to the Blackfin Pipeline reached an agreement to relocate the compressor station. This decision came just one day before the council's scheduled vote on the potential rescission of the project's building permits. A letter obtained by the Chronicle reveals that company representatives cited community concerns about the station and its proximity to Interstate 45 as the rationale for the facility's relocation.
City officials have indicated that unresolved questions remain regarding the Mustang Express Pipeline proposal.
City officials have received information from representatives of Mustang Pipeline Express, a third-party land-acquisition firm, indicating that the segment traversing Conroe will not include a compressor station. City officials have reported that the documents submitted by the pipeline company "continue to introduce compressors and other major facilities."
McGuire has confirmed that the city has not yet approved any permits or plans for the Mustang Pipeline Express project.
Council members have indicated that previous experiences have led to a more cautious approach in assessing pipeline proposals.
Councilwoman Marsha Porter expressed that the Blackfin Pipeline situation has taught the council and the city a valuable lesson.
Porter expressed relief regarding the situation with Blackfin, advising future council members to approach any proposed pipeline with skepticism.
The Mustang Express Pipeline was notably absent from the recent council meeting, as no representatives were present. Efforts to contact company officials for a statement were unsuccessful at this time.
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