DTE's Planned Gas Pipeline Gets Pushback From Milford Residents

MILFORD (WWJ) - Some Oakland County residents are upset over DTE's plans for a $9 million pipeline.

About 40 residents came to a Wednesday evening meeting to oppose the planned natural gas pipeline that would run through their properties.

The planned pipeline would serve as a backup at DTE's Duck Lake facility in Milford.

Julie Jacob says the utility plans to run 700 feet of pipeline across the backyard of her home on Debbiewood Court.

"You almost feel powerless," says Jacob, "like there's nothing you can do about it, and I'm still, after this meeting tonight, I'm still a little bit nervous that we can't do anything about it."

On the hotseat was DTE's Regional Relations Director Mike Chris, who said while he empathizes with homeowner concerns, the pipeline bypass will be moving forward.

"There is a greater need that needs to be served," he told WWJ's Jon Hewett. "You have an obligation to protect the integrity of your system and this is a component to do that. This is the only plausable way you could handle putting in a contingency plan that would protect against any type of issue at the Milford junction."

"I don't want it," said one resident."I bet any one of those people on DTE's big rigs wouldn't want it running through their property either - there has to be another route, there has to be."

The project still needs formal approval.