Huntsville Utilities says growing natural gas demand is driving proposed North Alabama pipeline

NORTH ALABAMA. (WAFF) — Local utility leaders say growing demand for natural gas is driving a proposed 137-mile pipeline that would run from north of Florence to Hollywood.

Crews are currently studying the route to determine whether the land can support a 200-foot corridor, a process that could take up to three years. There is no construction schedule at this time. Nearly 1,000 property owners have received letters seeking access for land surveys and testing to determine whether properties could support the 50-foot easement needed for the pipeline.

Seth Hubert, who farms in New Market, said the proposed route would cut through his property, including his flower fields.

“It’ll go right through here. Like I said, I think about, I think they’ve initially said like 200 foot wide during construction. And then it’ll go to a 50 foot permanent easement,” Hubert said.

Hubert said he is concerned about the impact on his soil.

“Absolutely. I mean, it is only a 200 foot strip, but it’s right in the dead middle of the farm, too,” Hubert said.

Joe Gehrdes with Huntsville Utilities said landowners would be compensated for things like crops affected by the project.

Gehrdes said Huntsville and Athens are approaching their natural gas capacity, while Scottsboro has already reached it.

“We’re okay today, but five years from now, maybe not. And because of the length of time it takes to complete a project like this, we need to get to work,” Gehrdes said.

Gehrdes said planning must happen years before the gas is actually needed.

“From a utility guy’s perspective, we needed this project yesterday. So here we are, the need is growth driven,” Gehrdes said.

For landowners, that means years of uncertainty before a final route is chosen.

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