Cheat Summit Overlook, Randolph & Pocahontas County Line

Report by Lauren Ragland, July 28, 2014

[PHOTO - Courtesy of Amy Mitchem] Cheat Summit Overlook, Randolph / Pocahontas County line, WV. National Scenic Highway, Stau​n​ton-Petersburg Turnpike. View of Dominion’s proposed transmission pipeline: SE-Pipeline. [The black water line circle is the actual size of the proposed 42" dry gas transmission pipe. The pink hula hoop represents the actual size of the 36" Keystone transmission pipeline.]

VIEW —  Looking below and beyond over the endless green vista, it is impossible to imagine this becoming an industrial zone. The majority of the land is within the Monongahela National Forest, which the innocent believe is protected from development.

This view from the Randolph / Pocahontas county line could and would be destroyed by many massive, loud, toxic Compressor Stations that would dot the landscape.

Dominion stated in their original March and April 2014 press releases that industry standards require Compressor Stations every 10-40 miles to move​ the dry gas over the high elevation of our mountains.

SIZE – Dominion’s proposed SE-Pipeline is larger than the thirty-six inch diameter Keystone transmission pipeline at forty-two inches.

In the photo the black water line hoop is the actual size of the 42″ transmission pipe. The pink hula hoop represents the actual size of the 36″ Keystone transmission pipeline.

Natural gas companies are reluctant to ​mention publically that their massive Compressor Stations of two story turbines and radiators also include huge Liquid Separators. Another surprise is​ the Valve Meter Stations placed every two to five miles along the five hundred mile pipeline, requiring access. Have you heard yet about the helicopters and infra-red cameras flying by looking for leaks?

US Route 250, is the historic 175 year old Staunton-Parkersburg Turnpike, and is within the heart of the ten-mile proposed path of SE-Pipeline. It winds through Civil War camps, battlefields​,​ cemeteries and ​rail road towns surrounded by the mountains.

Online at the Staunton Parkersburg Turnpike website, US Route 250 is described as having “breathtaking mountain views, fresh air, and wildlife are all abundant along the Turnpike in West Virginia. For nature-lovers and civilization-leavers, the Old Pike is a beautiful drive. Today the drive along the Turnpike through Pocahontas and Randolph Counties is still beautiful and idyllic, with varying shades of foliage through all seasons of weather. While many scenic byways promise a beautiful country road, driving the S-P Turnpike is like driving back through time.”

EDUCATING – A team of West Virginia citizens has been devoted to educating the local elected officials and the general public since the first week of June when the WV Gazette and Pocahontas Times printed the Dominion press release of May 18, 2014.

Lauren Ragland founder of WV Wilderness Lovers and Ed Wade Jr of Wetzel County Action group have made presentations at the Pocahontas Commissioners Meeting and the Mill Creek Town Council in July, and on August 7th will speak at the Randolph County Commissioners meeting at 1PM and at 6PM will host the first Public Meeting on the SE-Pipeline in West Virginia, at the Durbin Fire Hall.

At this point Dominion representatives have both cancelled scheduled meetings and not responded to requests for alternative spokespersons. There are dozens of questions that the residents of Randolph and Pocahontas County would like answered. The maps Dominion provided were “out of focus on purpose as to not cause fear,” stated both WV spokesperson Robert Orndorff​  and VA spokesperson Frank Mack.

Visit the Facebook  site “WV Wilderness Lovers vs P​roposed P​ipeline” and the FERC-101 Blog where one can learn the known health dangers and public safety hazards of pipeline development and operation.

CONTACTS:  Lauren Ragland (304-339-2598) and Ed Wade Jr. (304-775-5046).

EMAIL: WV.wilderness.vs.prop.pipeline@gmail.com