The big picture about the pipeline

Thank you commissioners and planning commission for remaining vigilant, for educating yourselves about the proposed PennEast/UGI pipeline and for paying attention to the details of the application process. The residents of Carbon County need you to protect our interests. This pipeline project poses a serious threat to our environment, tourist industry and property values.

Those who claim that opponents of the pipeline are not in favor of clean energy or that we don't consider the "big picture" are sadly misinformed.

The Big Picture is that the natural gas slated to flow through this pipeline comes from the fracking industry that pumps toxic chemicals into the earth, polluting groundwater and causing earthquakes.

The Big Picture is that the natural gas industry in Pennsylvania is unregulated and not taxed and is grabbing all the land it can get.

The Big Picture is that this private for-profit corporation threatens to use eminent domain to take private and public land for a project that will earn them billions of dollars.

They will not pay one penny of property tax on the land they want to use.

The Big Picture is that a 100-foot-wide corridor of land through our state parks and game lands will be permanently cleared of trees and other natural vegetation, causing fragmentation of forests, elimination of habitat and encroachment of invasive species.

The Big Picture is that this pipeline will cross 53 waterways and 87 wetlands, causing untold damage to fragile habitats and clean water.

The Big Picture is that the easement agreements that have been presented to property owners allow for a second pipeline to be built along the same right of way and more will surely follow if we don't stand our ground now.

The Big Picture is that property values will decrease wherever this pipeline goes, especially In Kidder Township, where a proposed compressor station will create noise and air pollution.

The PennEast/UGI pipeline project poses the biggest threat in memory to Carbon County's environment, residents and tourism.

We must stop it before it starts!

Loyola Schirra

Penn Forest Township