Pipeline plan fuels worries

A plan to build an oil pipeline along the southern edge of Centerville, in Davis County, is causing concern among some residents, who say it could be an environmental and safety hazard.

City officials say there's not much they can do to stop Holly Energy Partners from building, because the company has the right under federal energy law to use eminent domain to build an interstate pipeline. All Centerville officials can do is ensure that the pipeline is built safely and with the input of the city, said Blaine Lutz, assistant city manager.

Holly Energy specializes in the transportation of petroleum products, and the company's Porcupine Ridge Pipeline is proposed to start in Wyoming and end at the Holly Oil refinery in Woods Cross.

The pipeline would travel down Pages Lane in Centerville en route to the refinery. It would parallel several homes and businesses.

"We really don't want it to go through the city," Lutz said. "However, it is one of those utilities where it appears we need to accommodate it."

If Centerville were to bar Holly Energy from building down Pages Lane, the company could then use eminent-domain power to build — and the company wouldn't have to take input from the city. By cooperating with the company, Centerville can have more of a say in the decision, said Lutz.

Tonight, the Centerville City Council is holding a public hearing about a "franchise agreement" being negotiated between the city and the oil company. The agreement allows Centerville to review plans for the pipeline and also claim up to $10 million for any environmental damage from the pipeline.

The hearing will begin at 7:10 p.m. It will be held at the Centerville City offices, 250 North Main. Lutz said Monday that he anticipates no decision will be made tonight about the franchise agreement or pipeline.

Holly Rechis, who lives near the foothills in Centerville, said she is worried about the safety of her family during construction. Rechis has 2-year-old triplet boys. Her home will be bordered on three sides by the pipeline.

Monica Gardner, a Centerville resident who lives along Pages Lane, said she is concerned that the pipeline might rupture during an earthquake. Her home is located directly below the Wasatch Fault line.

"I believe there are lots of other options for this," Gardner said. "Bountiful is a much better choice."

Holly Energy had considered 400 North in Bountiful as an option for the pipeline but opted for Pages Lane in Centerville because it was farther from city water lines.