The Whatcom County Utility and Planning Advisory Committee joined forces with the Federal Energy Regulation Commission (FERC) this week in order to pursue the Williams pipeline issue.
At Tuesday's Whatcom County Council meeting, the council imposed a moratorium on any new fuel transmission pipelines until May 30, so the council could write new pipeline standards.
The Williams Pipeline extends from the Mexican border to the end of Sumas. The pipeline was built in the late '50s, but the company is talking about extending the pipeline and creating offshoots.
The Utility and Planning Advisory Committee was established in the early 80s to deal with questions about a high electrical transmission line going through town.
The committee reconvened last year in response to the Sumas Energy 2 plan and now deals with pipeline issues as well.
The Williams Pipeline ruptured in Feb., 1997. Committee member Shirley Nielsen said it is not the pipeline the committee objects to, but the way the pipeline company is trying to expand it without proper permits.
Nielsen also is worried the site could expand into areas it should not, such as mined rock quarries, residential areas and flood zones. The council has given that duty to the advisory committee.
Michael Kaufman, newly elected committee chair, said the only way to proceed on this issue is to work with FERC.
Lynden Mayor Daryl Brennick said once FERC approves the pipeline, what to do with it is out of the county's hands.
While working with FERC, the committee discussed three different roles they can play: intervener, commentator or helper.
Brennick said being an intervener is costly and being a commentator will have no effect on a project, but being a helper will give the county an advantage to see what they want done.
Most committee members agreed helping FERC find a site for any new pipeline construction would serve residents better than developing pipeline safety regulations, which is not the committee's role in the first place.
FERC approves pipeline construction, but leaves safety regulations up to the Department