Blackfin Conroe Compressor Permit Granted, Locals Resist

Montgomery County Residents Intensify Fight Against Blackfin Pipeline Compressor Station

Montgomery County residents are intensifying their opposition to Blackfin Pipeline, LLC’s proposed natural gas compressor station near FM 2854 and FM 1488, despite recent approvals from both the County Commissioners Court and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ).

The facility, designed to boost the pressure of natural gas through pipelines, was initially planned for a site near Cut and Shoot in September 2022. Strong community pushback at that time led Blackfin Pipeline to relocate the project. The new proposed location is south of FM 2854 and just west of Fish Creek, an area situated between the rapidly growing communities of Woodforest and Jacob’s Reserve.

The station is designed to house six natural gas-fired engines, totaling 9,000 horsepower. Residents in nearby communities express significant concerns about the facility’s potential impact. Key worries include constant noise pollution, air quality degradation from emissions like volatile organic compounds and nitrogen oxides, and critical safety risks such as explosions, fires, or gas leaks. Many homeowners, some reportedly within 1,000 feet of the proposed site, also fear a substantial decrease in their property values. Environmental concerns for the adjacent Fish Creek have also been raised.

The approval process for the compressor station has seen reversals at the local level. In January 2024, the Montgomery County Commissioners Court initially rejected a resolution to support Blackfin’s plans, citing public health and safety concerns. However, on March 26, 2024, the court reversed its stance, approving a new resolution in a 3-2 vote. Commissioners James Noack and Robert Walker voted against the approval, expressing reservations aligned with resident concerns. County Judge Mark Keough, Commissioner Charlie Riley, and Commissioner Greg Parker cast the votes in favor. Details on the Commissioners Court votes can be found in their official meeting minutes for March 26, 2024, available on the county’s website.

Following this local hurdle clearance, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) granted its crucial air quality permit for the facility on April 16, 2024. This state-level approval is a significant step for Blackfin Pipeline to advance the project. Information on the TCEQ permit can be accessed through the agency’s online database by searching for Blackfin Pipeline, LLC’s permit application.

Blackfin Pipeline, LLC maintains that the facility will be “state-of-the-art,” meeting or exceeding all environmental standards. The company argues that the compressor station is a necessary component of the existing natural gas infrastructure, not a new or isolated project. They also contend that the new site is better suited due to land availability and its distance from residential areas, a point disputed by area residents.

Despite these approvals, residents are not ceding ground. They are actively exploring legal action and engaging state representatives to intervene. Community organizing continues through platforms such as the “No Blackfin Compressor” Facebook page. Residents contend that the Commissioners Court vote was rushed and that their concerns were largely ignored. They are also investigating options to appeal the recent TCEQ permit decision, indicating that their fight is far from over.