Dozens Attend Public Meeting In Orchard On Pipeline

Orchard residents, along with others from as far away as Stuart, voiced their opinions to the KXL pipeline route during a public meeting Wednesday night hosted by the Orchard Village Board.

The meeting took place to receive input after a letter from the Public Service Commission asked for opinion from the Orchard community.

Nearly 20 people asked questions and gave their views on the route of the proposed KXL pipeline located 1.5 miles north of Orchard and 1.5 miles east of Royal. Rob Latimer, Sr. Advisor for TransCanada, gave a short presentation that offered some answers the Orchard community had.

One question asked how much taxes would Orchard receive if the KXL pipeline follows the current route. Latimer stated that Antelope County would receive $2.34 million in the first year. He added that some direct benefits from the KXL would include revenue from construction and income to local public power districts supplying electricity to the pumping stations.  

Several Orchard community members offered concern for the water sources, including Orchard’s well, should the pipleline leak near the community.

“Without our water, there are no farms, no people, no livestock,” said Allene Schwager.

Robyn Kennedy of Page referenced the environmental impact statement of the KXL pipeline and said, “All wells will be closed down for 2 miles radius of the point of impact” (if there is a leak).

Because the proposed route is 1.5 miles from Orchard, which has a town well, board members asked the TransCanada official for clarification on the statement.

“I don’t know that specific detail….We owe you an answer, and we will get you that answer,” Latimer said.

Another concern was how local first responders would be impacted. Orchard Fire Chief and EMT Duane Risinger said Orchard’s rescue teams are already thin and if an accident were to happen with construction workers, Orchard’s rescue units may not be able to handle the situation.

TransCanada officials said the construction crew has its own rescue unit and proper safety training would be provided to the local unit teams if a big disaster were to happen.

Greg Walmer, an Orchard business owner, said he would be directly impacted by the pipeline since the proposed route crosses his land. During the meeting, he said the terms of the easement weren’t all that clear.

“Shouldn’t we know who owns 250 miles of land in the state of Nebraska,” Walmer said. “As far as I know, there are no safeguards in place for us or the state to have any say so in who buys the easement. Is that type of uncertainty in the best interest for the community?”

The Orchard board is expected to contribute its input to the Public Service Commission by August 14 regarding the impact on Orchard. A letter or email will be sent stating the community's stance on the current KXL pipeline route.

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