Protestors who are writing to FERC to express theirdissatisfaction with pipeline projects are getting younger and morecolorful.

A first or second grader, judging by her handwriting, sent aletter to Commission Secretary David Boergers citing her dismaywith the siting of a compression station near Parshallville, MI,for the proposed Vector Pipeline [CP98-131, CP98-133]. “Dear Mr.Boergers [with a backward s], please don’t build the gas plant hereand make the horses and cows and sheep go away. Thank you, Annie.”She provided FERC with a drawing of a horse for effect.

A 14-year-old also said she was “writting” FERC because “I feelthat it is wrong of you [Vector] to build your plant” in that area.”My church is right across the highway from this sight and I do notwant to take the chance of our church blowing up for the secondtime. I would greatly appreciate [it] if you could find a newlocation for your building.”

A couple from Lone Jack, MO, who submitted comments in FERC’sproceeding on the landowner-notification process, used color photoinlays to drive home the point of notifying residents aboutpipeline projects early in the process [RM98-17]. The main colorinlay showed the couple’s backyard with a swing set and slide inthe foreground and a Williams Pipelines Central compressor stationin the background.

Under the photo inlay, the couple wrote: “The facility presentsan unwanted/unnecessary hazard, is noisy, is an eyesore, anddevalues property. We were cheated out of our opportunity to workwith the company, FERC, federal, state and local agencies beforeapproval. Would you like your children to play here?”

Susan Parker

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