Majority believes Permian Highway Pipeline should be subjected to environmental study

The Record’s online poll from July 19 - Aug. 2 asked readers whether they think Kinder Morgan’s proposed Permian Highway Pipeline should be subject to a review under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).

On July 16, the Hays County Commissioners Court voted to file a notice of intent to sue Kinder Morgan for a second time.

The County, along with Travis Audubon Society and three other plaintiffs, will file a notice of intent against Kinder Morgan, the United States Army Corps of Engineers and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service.

The notice, which comes in connection to the Permian Highway Pipeline, states that Kinder Morgan will be able to “lawfully ‘take’ federally listed endangered species during the construction, operation, and maintenance of the PHP.” As such, plaintiffs are requesting an environmental impact study be conducted on the project. This review would be conducted under the National Environmental Policy Act instead of the Nationwide Permitting verification process which Kinder Morgan currently intends to use.

Proponents of the lawsuit say the Permian Highway Project will cross through some of the most sensitive environmental features in Texas, including the recharge zones of the Edwards and Edwards-Trinity Aquifers and therefore should be subjected to the NEPA. Kinder Morgan says is already complying with all applicable laws related to endangered species along the pipeline route.

The poll asking, “Do you think the Permian Highway Pipeline should be subjected to an environmental impact study by NEPA?” received a total of 378 votes, with the majority of votes — 92 percent or 346 votes — going to option “Yes, the pipeline will cross through some of Texas’ most environmentally-sensitive features.” Eight percent of voters chose, “No, they are complying with all applicable laws related to endangered species along the pipeline route.”

A majority of poll voters think that the Permian Highway Pipeline should be subjected to an environmental impact study by NEPA because the pipeline will cross through some of Texas’ most environmentally-sensitive features. Every week, the Record gives its readers the opportunity to voice their opinions on different topics. This poll does not, and does not purport to accurately depict public opinion. It is only intended to inspire thought-provoking discussion within the community.

SMDR’s new poll is available online now and asks for readers’ opinions on whether they think financial institutions, like Capital One and Equifax, should be subject to more stringent laws regarding protecting consumer data. It can be voted on now.