Where is the love? Coastal’s ANR Pipeline and backers of theGuardian Pipeline, which challenges ANR’s Wisconsin, were at itagain last week, sniping at each other via press release.

First, ANR called for Guardian backers to make financing detailsof the project public to prove whether it would reduce Wisconsingas prices. “The fact is, it isn’t true,” that Guardian would cutgas prices, said Dan Gunderson, ANR corporate affairs director. Hetold members of the group Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce(WMC) that Guardian should “have nothing to fear by stepping outfrom behind a dark curtain of secrecy.

“We urge WMC to ensure that the proposed Guardian Pipelinereceive no support until it… deals openly and honestly withbusinesses and individual ratepayers.” ANR contends almost 90% ofGuardian’s capacity would be used to serve Wisconsin Gas, a currentANR customer.

As pipeline competitors rarely, if ever, turn the other cheek,Wisconsin Gas — a supporter of the 184-mile southeasternWisconsin pipeline — fired back. Spokesman David Fantle said bothANR and the Guardian partners made presentations to the WMC groupEnergy Committee. “Based on the recommendation of the EnergyCommittee, the WMC board of directors came out in support of theGuardian project.”

Stepping into the fray, the WMC came out with its own releasesaying it supports Guardian. “WMC supports this and future effortsto provide increased supply of clean-burning natural gas forWisconsin,” said WMC President James S. Haney. “In addition toGuardian, other pipeline projects currently on the drawing boardcould help protect Wisconsin’s economic future.” So there.Joe Fisher, Houston

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