Executive wants more time for comment on gas pipeline

A Cache County executive is asking federal regulators for more time to comment on a natural-gas pipeline that could cut through northern Utah between Wyoming and Oregon.

Lynn Lemon also wants the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to persuade Ruby Pipeline to consider another route for the project.

"The route as currently proposed can be expected to have a substantial negative impact on private property rights and important agricultural and environmental assets," Lemon said in a recent letter to the agency.

Houston-based El Paso Corp. and partners want to build the Ruby Pipeline from Opal, Wyo., to Malin, Ore., near California's northern border. It's designed to move 1.2 billion cubic feet of gas a day, with the capability of expanding to 2 billion cubic feet.

The favorite route bypasses Idaho and would go through Utah's Rich, Cache and Box Elder counties. Utah ranchers fear the pipeline could damage and devalue their land, and they won't get enough compensation for it.

Lemon wants the agency to extend the public-comment period beyond April 30 and hold additional public meetings. Ruby spokesman Richard Wheatley said the company doesn't object to more meetings