Utah officials drop opposition to Ruby Pipeline as cost jumps to $3 billion

LOGAN, Utah - The proposed 675-mile route of the proposed Ruby Pipeline from the Opal Hub in Wyoming to the northern California border has been moved from central Idaho to a southern path that includes sections of Box Elder, Rich and Cache counties in Utah.
The price tag for the 42-inch-diameter gas line, expected to be in operation by early 2011, has jumped from $2 billion to $3 billion. Environmental, archaeological and subsurface assessments have been completed.
Now the project's fate is in the hands of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission in Washington, D.C. An application was filed on Jan. 27 for a FERC certificate of "public convenience and necessity" to construct it, said El Paso spokesman Robert Newberry.
Meanwhile, Cache County officials and residents opposed to the pipeline dropped their opposition.
"Cache County is neutral on this matter," said County Executive Lynn Lemon. "We initially opposed (it) based on requests from landowners (but they have since) agreed to allow Ruby Pipeline to cross their property."
Joining the El Paso staff as an employee is Logan resident Val Grant, who represented the Little Bear Conservation Alliance and the Bridgerland Audubon Society at Ruby Pipeline hearings.