Bill Text: MI HCR0061 | 2011-2012 | 96th Legislature | Introduced
Bill Title: A concurrent resolution to urge the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to deny Trunkline Gas Company's proposal to abandon a vitally important natural gas pipeline in Michigan.
Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Republican 5-2)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2012-09-19 - Referred To Committee On Energy And Technology [HCR0061 Detail]
Download: Michigan-2011-HCR0061-Introduced.html
Rep. Kowall offered the following concurrent resolution:
House Concurrent Resolution No. 61.
A concurrent resolution to urge the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to deny Trunkline Gas Company's proposal to abandon a vitally important natural gas pipeline in Michigan.
Whereas, Trunkline Gas Company is proposing to convert 770 miles of natural gas pipeline that is critical for serving Michigan's energy needs into an oil pipeline that will not benefit the state. The natural gas pipeline proposed to be converted supplies natural gas to more than 1.7 million Michigan homes and businesses. If Trunkline's proposal is approved, Michigan could face serious reliability and service issues; and
Whereas, The removal of the pipeline may lead to higher prices for heating fuel, particularly impacting our most vulnerable citizens. Hundreds of thousands of Michiganders struggle to keep their homes warm during the winter months and seek financial assistance to pay their heating bills. Unfortunately, in recent years, public and private programs offering to help these families have been stretched thin. Trunkline should not be allowed to abandon a pipeline that may raise Michigan’s natural gas prices and hurt our most vulnerable citizens; and
Whereas, Trunkline's pipeline is a key part of the natural gas infrastructure in Michigan. The pipeline links abundant domestic natural gas supplies in Texas, Louisiana, and the Gulf of Mexico to Michigan's abundant natural gas storage fields. Natural gas is pumped into these underground fields during the summer and then released in the winter when regional demand for heating fuel is high. Impairing this supply access through limitation of the interstate transport infrastructure could have devastating impacts on natural gas accessibility in Michigan and other Midwest states; and
Whereas, Allowing Trunkline to abandon this pipeline is unwise and ill-advised. Natural gas is a clean and efficient fuel that produces vital heat and electricity. The use of more natural gas from all domestic formations only means that natural gas will play an ever more important role in ensuring the country has an adequate supply of affordable energy. We need to increase our natural gas infrastructure, not decrease it; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), That we urge the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to deny Trunkline Gas Company's proposal to abandon a vitally important natural gas pipeline in Michigan; and be it further
Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the chairman of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
