Conroe officials are joining residents in opposing a high-pressure natural gas compressor station planned near Interstate 45, citing safety concerns and a lack of transparency from the company behind the project.
The Conroe City Council on Thursday unanimously approved a resolution supporting a lawsuit filed last month by the Bartholet family, owners of Bartholet Home Furnishings. Their store sits less than 150 feet from the proposed site. The lawsuit, filed July 23, seeks a temporary restraining order to stop construction. A hearing is set for Aug. 29 in the 457th District Court.
An engineer testifying against the project warned that in the event of an explosion, the surrounding area could be “incinerated,” threatening homes, businesses and commuters within a one-mile radius.
Council members said they were not made aware of the compressor station when easements were discussed in 2023. Councilwoman Marsha Porter, who was on the council at the time, said she was “outraged and horrified” that details about the facility were not disclosed.
State Rep. Will Metcalf, R-Conroe, also called for a halt to the project. In a letter to the Texas Railroad Commission, he urged a public hearing and said that “public input must be a priority, not an afterthought.”
The station is part of the 193-mile Blackfin Pipeline, operated by Whitewater Midstream. The line is designed to transport up to 3.5 billion cubic feet of natural gas daily and includes four compressor stations — one in Conroe and three in rural areas.
Whitewater has defended the project, saying it complies with all regulatory requirements. The company says the pipeline will generate about 2,000 construction jobs and an estimated $70 million in taxes.
Residents and city officials remain concerned that the Conroe site is too close to businesses and neighborhoods, with some pledging to continue the fight in court later this month.
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