Pipeline defender only shares part of the story

I am writing in reference to Cole Morehead’s Letter to the Editor, in the Oct. 29 issue of High Plains Journal. He is correct that the agriculture and energy sectors depend on each other. However, he is incorrect in many of his statements and sharing only part of the story.

Often in Oklahoma, pipeline contractors enter the property without nofication, do a dig, and leave without restoring the site to its original condition. Also, Morehead did not mention pipeline companies abandoning a line and no longer having to maintain the line to Department of Transportation standards. If the landowner wants to build a pond, a set of pens, or a home where an abandoned line exists, it is the landowner’s responsibility and expense to remove the line. If it wasn’t purged to DOT standards, or if it was coated with asbestos, the landowner has a major problem and expense. Also, in Oklahoma, pipeline companies have the right of eminent domain. The pipeline companies can lay the line where they want as opposed to where the landowner requests. Often, there is another nearby line that they could follow as opposed to a new right of way a quarter mile or a little more away. This just splits up a pasture or field even more, and without justification.

I agree with Morehead that we need to strengthen the partnership, but heavy-handed tactics by some pipeline companies, their contractors and third-party inspectors is not the answer.

—Lyle Testerman, Stillwater, Oklahoma.