Dinniman Will Speak About Gas Pipeline Tuesday

The following is a press release from State Senator Andy Dinniman.

State Sen. Andy Dinniman, John Johnson of the West Chester Fish, Game and Wildlife Association and Denis Newbold of the Stroud Water Research Center are among those scheduled to speak at Tuesday’s Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) hearing on the Transcontinental Gas Pipeline Company’s (Transco.) plan to install a 42-inch natural-gas pipeline across the east branch of the Brandywine Creek.

The DEP hearing, requested by Dinniman, will gather public comment on the Transcontinental Gas Pipeline Company’s proposal to install the pipeline across the creek using what is known as an open-cut/coffer-dam method.

Dinniman said he, Johnson and Newbold were among 13 people who as of Friday afternoon had formally reserved the opportunity to speak at the hearing.

“I look forward to an excellent discussion of the public-health, environmental and quality-of-life issues that must be addressed by the DEP in its review and approval of a pipeline-installation plan,” Dinniman said. “I am confident that the various speakers will represent a good cross-section of the residents, businesses and environmental advocates who have much at stake in the continued protection and preservation of the Brandywine Creek.”

Tuesday’s hearing will begin at 5 p.m. and take place at West Chester University’s Sykes Student Union at 110 West Rosedale Avenue. It will begin with company officials’ presentation of their plan followed by the same officials taking questions and discussing the plan with members of the public. The official public-comment portion of the meeting will begin at 7 p.m. and is scheduled to last until 9 p.m.

Those who wish to reserve up to five minutes to speak during the public-comment portion of the meeting should contact Deborah Fries, the DEP Community Relations Supervisor, at 484-250-5808 or defries@pa.gov. Members of the public may sign up to speak on the day of the hearing if public-comment time is still available.

Free parking will be available at Sykes Student Union.

For more information contact Senator Dinniman’s West Chester Office at (610) 692-2112, or e-mail mindars@pasenate.com.