An analysis from Bloomberg finds that the Rover Pipeline has received more environmental violations than any other major interstate natural gas pipeline built in the past two years. That includes damage in Ohio.
Rover’s impact on Ohio includes the destruction of a historic house, damage to state wetlands and spilling drilling fluid near Canton's main water field. In total, the 710-mile pipeline has racked up 104 "noncompliance incidents."
To compare, the second-worst violator was the Virginia Southside Expansion, a 91-mile pipeline that saw 26 incidents.
Ohio EPA spokesman James Lee says the pipeline has met most of the state’s orders, except for one that requires them to submit a storm water management permit.
“Ohio EPA’s priority continues to be making sure that Rover complies with the state’s environmental laws," Lee says. "Whether that’s related to protecting ground water or surface water, the agency is committed to taking all necessary precautions.”
Though Lee declined to comment on the Bloomberg report, Ohio EPA officials have been openly critical of Rover’s noncompliance and have recently requested civil action against the pipeline’s parent company, Energy Transfer Partners.
According to Bloomberg, the Rover Pipeline, which is intended to transport natural gas from the Marcellus shale deposit to the Midwest and Canada, is Energy Transfer's "biggest project since its controversial Dakota Access oil pipeline."
