Blackfin Conroe Compressor Site Now Lies Empty: One Conroe Family Rejoices

CONROE, TX -- For one Conroe family, this Thanksgiving will have an extra special meaning. Their business and livelihood, once under threat from a dangerous gas pipeline compressor station, lying literally feet away from their store, is no more. The Bartholet Family, owners of Bartholet Home Furnishings, located across I-45 from River Plantation in Conroe, were pleased to report that earlier this month crews from WhiteWater Midstream, LLC, the principal controlling interest over Blackfin Pipeline, LLC, had begun to remove the equipment located on the property. Crews in the early summer began installing compressor equipment on the seven acre property, located at 12024 I-45, frightening not only the Bartholet’s, but nearby residents of Grand Central Park, as well as causing concerns for the safety of drivers along the interstate should an incident ever happen.

The Bartholet’s filed suit against Blackfin which was heard in the 457th Judicial District Court of Judge Vince J. Santini in late August and early September. A temporary injunction was issued by Santini soon after locking down further additions to construction. In reviewing the judge’s ruling, it was evident that the pipeline company overstepped their basic guidelines for site placement and public safety, and by early October Blackfin announced that they were pulling out of the project. There was no real objection as to the need for the pipeline, but to the safety issues that were brought forward for the compressor station that should be located in rural locations on sites three times the size of the seven acre property that is situated near the West Fork of the San Jacinto River.

The Conroe City Council learned in mid-August that they had actually given approval a year prior to the easement that led to the advancement of the Blackfin compressor station project, without its engineering department noting the full safety concerns to the consequences of such a potentially hazardous site. City officials say that many responsible have been fired from the engineering department, but no official notifications have been made to the public.

WhiteWater Midstream, LLC., Associate General Counsel Liza Evan, informed Conroe city and law enforcement officials in early November that crews would be on-site to remove all above-ground facilities. Bartholet Family spokesperson Sarah Bartholet Gwin, noted to MCN on November 4th, about the new activity in regards to the removal of equipment, and took photos as the deconstruction progressed. By November 12th, the site was free of piping and construction equipment, just a gravel covered field being left to its own devices.

“I keep pinching myself,” said Gwin, in regards to the removal of the piping from the compressor site. “David has officially beat Goliath.”

The question still remains about the path that forced The Bartholet Family to file their lawsuit against Blackfin, when the City of Conroe was clearly at fault in clearing the road for BF to take confidence in pressing forward with the initial compressor site construction. The Bartholet’s incurred a considerable expense in protecting their interest, and the city, besides claiming credit for Blackfin’s withdrawal in their October 8th press release, has shown no interest in reimbursing The Bartholet’s for any percentage of their undertaking in not only protecting themselves, but essentially The City of Conroe as well.

The Bartholets’ have been berated on multiple fronts in their fight, with national coverage from the Washington Times writing pieces that were filled with falsehoods, and complete misunderstanding in regards to the true facts on the ground. For Sarah Gwin and her family, they will celebrate Thanksgiving with extra prayers this year, with the great weight of worry being lifted from their yolk.

Photos