NH citizens weigh in on Kinder Morgan pipeline (7/5/2015 – 308 citizens, 1641 responses)

By Jacquelyn Benson

Kinder Morgan has proposed building a pipeline through 18 towns in southern New Hampshire to improve natural gas supply to the region. The move has encountered both support from those anticipating lowered energy costs and opposition from those who argue the project will not benefit the state. On July 5, the Live Free or Die Alliance put the issue to Facebook members, posing the question, “Do you support or oppose the Kinder Morgan pipeline project?”

A total of 85% of respondents answered the question directly or with a concurrence, and of these an 79% majority expressed disapproval of the proposed pipeline with 21% in favor. Of the remaining respondents, 12% opted to discuss the subject in broader terms while 3% addressed their comments to unrelated issues. In sum, 308 citizens participated in the discussion with a total of 1641 responses.

Opponents argued that the cost of the project would not outweigh any potential benefits. “This pipeline will not benefit NH. We are just an avenue of travel for it,” one commenter wrote. “I am opposed not only because of the environmental hazards of the pipeline, but because NH is a net exporter of electricity to MA,” a respondent argued. “Why would we allow this extensive and dangerous infrastructure project when this is not a renewable energy source?” another commenter asked.

Those in favor of the pipeline argued for the safety and efficiency of natural gas. “I support any ideas to help reduce the extremely high cost of energy which when added to the extremely high cost of living in NH will bankrupt a single parent such as myself,” one commenter wrote. “I’m a plumber and gas fitter so I approve this actually very safe and clean fuel source,” another respondent stated. “Natural gas is the best choice we have until we improve efficiency of wind and solar options,” a commenter said.

Others opted not to give a yes or no response, instead commenting on broader issues. “There is only one NH gas company that wants gas from this pipeline; this is largely for the benefit of other states and Canada,” one poster wrote. “Let the landowners whose landscapes will be disrupted decide,” another commenter suggested.

The nonprofit, nonpartisan LFDA takes no position on this or any issue, as this report is presented as a summary of citizen testimony. As New Hampshire’s Virtual Town Hall, the LFDA community, numbering more than 72,000, provides objective information on state issues, promotes the civil exchange of opinions, and communicates views to elected officials. To learn more about this issue or the LFDA, visit www.lfda.org.

Jacquelyn Benson is an editor with the Live Free or Die Alliance.

Live Free or Die Alliance
www.livefreeordiealliance.org