May 8, 2008

County okays Chevron agreement

The Adams County Commissioners unanimously approved a 50-year franchise agreement with Chevron Pipe Line Corporation retroactive from Aug. 4, 2003, after a public hearing Monday morning.

“We’re a little behind getting these updated,” George Adams, right-of-way specialist for the pipeline company, said. “These have been sitting in our files for 50 years… how do you keep a ticker on something like this?”

The county granted a franchise for the transportation of oil, petroleum, gas, gasoline, water and other substances through the pipeline located in Eastern Adams County.

Starting at the northeast portion of the county near Keystone in Township 20N, Range 37E, the pipeline crosses the county from north to south at an angle to portions of Township 16N, Range 34E.

The franchise allows the pipeline company the right of ingress and egress across and under all public highways and roads in the specified sections.

One member of the public, Gordon Gering, was present for the hearing. “I was just concerned if it was crossing our property, but it’s not,” he said.

County Engineer Bill Johns explained that the county retains the right to relocate the pipeline if necessary, but added that he’s never been involved with a project that required relocation.

Adams informed the commissioners that the pipeline is a common carrier line, similar to trucking companies, for whatever company pays the tariff to use the line.

The line starts in Salt Lake City, Utah, where there are about six refineries. Two lines traverse cross-country to Boise, Idaho, with one lateral line to Pocatello, Idaho.

The line to Pasco and on to Spokane crosses Adams County and is maintained by the Pasco crew.