Thanks to the many members of the NOPE Community who wrote letters to the Ohio Power Siting Board, asking them to deny Duke’s request to waive formal notification and the required information meeting. Your voices combined with the petition by NOPE’s legal counsel were effective! Duke’s waiver request was denied. Duke will hold an informational hearing (schedule TBD) similar in nature to the one held on June 15, 2016 at Cooper Creek in Blue Ash. Duke will be required to address the need for the project, the project schedule, the design of the facility and other pertinent data. This gives the community another opportunity to ask questions and have our collective voices heard.
The executive director for the OPSB stated the reason for requiring another informational hearing was that there were substantial changes to the application due to route adjustments in several locations for both the Preferred and Alternate routes that, in part, impact properties not previously impacted by the proposed routes, the decrease in pipe diameter by 33 percent (from 30 inches to 20 inches), and the decrease in pipeline pressure by 33 percent. This decision was upheld by the Administrative Law Judge, who further stated that until an informational meeting is held the time requirement for the OPSB to review Duke’s application is suspended. The time calculation for review will start up from the point it was suspended after the meeting takes place.
What you should do now:
Support NOPE through financial contributions. NOPE has established a GoFundMe account in which to raise funds to continue its fight for all communities. We need your help. You can either do so on-line or mail a check to: NOPEc/o Glenn Rosen, Treasurer 9228 Bluewing Ter, Blue Ash, OH 45236. If you know of any businesses willing to donate please contact them. Donations are NOT tax deductible.
Volunteer to help. We need people to help make a difference. There are many interesting and flexible opportunities to contribute to the success of NOPE! Please sign up now!