Farmers cautious about McCully pipeline proposal

Landowners in Sussexdemanded assurances that a natural gas pipeline won't destroy their fields and farms at hearings into theproposal held this week in Saint John.

The Public Utilities Board heard final arguments about the pipeline on Thursday. Corridor Resources wants to connect theMcCully gas field to a major pipeline that crosses New Brunswick.

Beth Nixon, who lives in Penobsquis, said farmersdon't want to stop Corridor from building a pipeline,but they want to be reassured that theirland won't suffer.

"SometimesI wish natural gas was never discovered in our community," she said.

"There's no question a pipeline is required. The question is, who will put it in, who will maintain it, and what conditions including environmental and safety concerns are put on to it?"

David Norman, whorepresented Corridor Resources at the PUB hearing, said the gas field is good news for the community.

"There has not been a single intervener who disagrees with the development of the gas resources."

George Horton of the Kings East Development Partnership said thelocal business groupwants the PUB to approvethe construction permit so a branch pipeline can be fed intoa proposed energy park in Sussex.

"The only way that we can develop local industries to take advantage of this gas is to get a direct line to be able to get the commodity directly from Corridor into the park," hesaid.

The PUB hasn't said when it will rule on whether the pipeline can be built.