Drive north away from Nashville and the first bright yellow yard sign — protesting “NO PIPELINE“— appears as the land turns into lush green ridges. Those yard signs soon proliferate, including in the front yards of a dozen neighbors in a row along Whites Creek Pike.
This is where a controversy in rural
Joelton
reached a new intensity Thursday night during a community rally — the latest to bring together
a
tightly unified group in resistance to a gas pipeline project.
Many in this rural area of Davidson County oppose a plan to build a new natural gas pipeline compressor station
in the middle of 82 forested acres, saying it’s not far enough away from homes, farms, Paradise Ridge Park, and water wells.
Organic farmer Lori Birckhead, of
By Faith Farm, told a crowd of more than 200 that the proposed location makes no sense.
“It seemed like they picked one of the worst sites they could have,” she said.
“I would say there’s 100 percent uniformity in this decision,
” she said. ”
You know, I haven’t heard from anyone that said, ‘Oh, no, I think it’s a great idea to have a gas compressor station in the neighborhood, you know.’ “
More:
Opponents’ page on Facebook
Opponents also have some official momentum. There’s
a lawsuit filed to block a pipeline permit. And Councilman Lonnell Matthews, Jr., has
moved to change city code so that pipeline compressors can only locate on land zoned for industry.
“Gas compression stations do not belong in residential areas, anywhere in the city,” Matthews said, drawing applause.
Yet the company behind the pumping station, Kinder Morgan, sees the Joelton land as ideal.
For one, it’s close to the existing gas pipeline, which is mostly underground but visible in one spot from Whites Creek Pike. And the company said the buildings that would house two turbines would be out of view, with all sounds quieted to a level that meets federal rules.
In emailed responses to WPLN questions, the company also touted a temporary boost in jobs
and a positive economic impact.
“
This is a rural farming and agricultural area, and it would be out of the public’s view and include outside lighting that would be down-cast during the majority of operation of the station,
” wrote spokesman Richard Wheatley.
At stake for the company, Kinder-Morgan, is a much bigger project. The Joelton piece would be one link in a pipe system, known as
the Broad Run Expansion, that runs from West Virginia to the Gulf Coast.
A tentative timeline puts construction starting next March — but resistance is fierce and organized.
At the community meeting, the group geared up for a June 25 public hearing at the Planning Commission for Matthews’ council bill. A Metro Council public hearing will follow in July.
The anti-pipeline lawsuit, filed by attorney and council candidate Nick Leonardo, awaits a response from the company. Leonardo told the crowd that he looks forward to questioning company officials under oath so that residents can learn as much as possible about the project.
“
I’m going to force them to tell the truth about what’s going on up here,
“
he said.
“
We’re going to make it difficult.
“
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