Duke Energy Moves Ahead with Ohio Gas Pipeline Application

Duke Energy Ohio is moving ahead with its application before the Ohio Power Siting Board (OPSB) to build the proposed Central Corridor Pipeline, a 13 mile, 20-inch natural gas pipeline designed to ensure the safe and reliable delivery of natural gas to customers in southwest Ohio. Once finished, the project will connect to an existing pipeline near the intersection of Butler, Warren, and Hamilton counties, and extend to an existing pipeline in either Norwood or Fairfax. In addition, two propane peaking stations will be decommissioned.

In August 2017, Duke Energy Ohio requested a delay in its application process for additional time to examine site-specific matters it became aware of through meetings with property owners and municipalities concerning the proposed alternate, or western, route that runs primarily through Blue Ash, Evendale and Reading.

Since then, the company has been advancing the design and alignment of this route. This involved taking a more in-depth look at all properties where the pipeline would be located, including near the Pristine Inc. Superfund site in Reading. Duke Energy Ohio also conducted additional environmental testing, including soil borings along the route, reviewed records of existing environmental databases, and met with property owners and community leaders.

“Duke Energy Ohio is committed to safely constructing this needed pipeline while mitigating impacts to the residential and business communities,” said James Olberding, project manager. “Since August, we’ve had nearly 60 additional meetings with property owners and local officials along the alternate route. Public input is an important part of this siting process, and ensures that Duke Energy Ohio and the OPSB have  feedback from those that may be potentially impacted by the proposed pipeline project.”

In its filing, the company has asked that an upcoming adjudicatory hearing be rescheduled for later this spring or summer. This hearing will allow parties in the case to provide sworn testimony and cross-examine witnesses. A decision on the project is expected sometime after the hearing is complete.