DINGMAN, PA — Opponents of a proposed expansion of gas pipeline compressor station in Milford Township on September 19 asked for the support of the Delaware Valley School District.

They found some sympathetic responses among school board members, but the board’s statutory ability to get involved was an issue to be resolved.

The station’s operator, NiSource, is seeking PA Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) permits to replace the existing Firetower Road station, powered by a 680-horsepower, gas-fueled plant, with a station powered by two gas-fueled engines totaling 9,400 horsepower. The operator is seeking the expansion to service higher gas volume provided by the earlier expansion of the Tennessee Gas pipelines feeding the Columbia Gas pipeline serving the New Jersey and New York metropolitan areas.

Alex Latorto, spokesman for NoMilfordCompressor.org, said documentation provided by NiSource shows increased levels of emissions from the enlarged compressor that would greatly deteriorate air quality in the area, especially impacting pre-schools, public schools and senior care centers in the Milford-Montague NJ, Port Jervis NY area.

Opponents want NiSource to switch the station power from gas to cleaner electricity.

Latorto said the increased emissions are important because of the frequent temperature inversions in the valley areas, which retain air pollution and cause night-time and morning fog and haze.

Latorto provided numerous emission statistics, but one practical example seemed to speak to board members. “Imagine 71 diesel school buses idling 24 hours a day, every day, year round and you have the 3.41 tons of volatile organic compounds that this plant will emit,” he said.

Bess Moran, who lives on nearby Schoolhouse Road said she came to the area from the city 24 years ago to “get away from noise and pollution, and now I’m facing this horror.”

She said there are now eight houses on her road for sale and that never happened before.

“We saved the (historic) Kenworthy Building, [which had been scheduled for demolition in a courthouse expansion], but it won’t matter if you don’t have clear air. You’re going to ruin it by letting these people do this,” she said.

Latorto said the opponents anticipate losing the opening round, but are talking with attorneys about an anticipated appeal. He said the group hopes the board will provide a statement of concern, similar to ones already approved by the Milford supervisors and the Pike County Commissioners.

“We don’t get involved in political issues, but this isn’t politics; it’s a safety issue,” said board member Jack Fisher.

The board’s attorney, Michael Weinstein said the district has been through community issues before. “Keep in mind the statutory mandate that the school board has. I’d have to look at the statute again,” he said.

However, Weinstein said that if the board is not able to act, then some members or all of the members, as individuals, may take positions.

Fisher said that baseline air quality should be recorded and tested from now on. “That’s safety,” he said.

Member Jack O’Leary, who has worked in the gas industry, said that random samples would have to be taken from time to time. However, he said that the closest government station that does random air sampling is located near Wilkes-Barre.