Columbia Gas Files Lawsuit against State College Borough Council in Pipeline Dispute
Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania recently filed a lawsuit against the Borough of State College and Borough Manager Tom Fountaine after the borough refused to issue a right-of-way permit that would have extended a natural gas pipeline. Plans to convert Penn State’s West Campus steam plant from coal to natural gas require the extension. Statecollege.com and The Centre Daily Times report that council members passed a resolution instructing Mr. Fountaine not to approve the permit in April. The pipeline would run under several borough streets, including Bellaire Avenue, University Drive, Prospect Avenue and South Burrowes Street. Penn State and Columbia are reportedly working together to re-evaluate alternatives that would re-route the pipeline, which could take several weeks.