STATE OFFICIALS COME TO KATY TO HEAR COMMENTS ON GAS STORAGE PROPOSAL:

State Officials Come to Katy to Hear Comments on Gas-Storage Proposal

By Karen Zurawski

This Week

The Houston Chronicle

Representatives of the Texas Railroad Commission came to the VFW Hall in Katy Friday and found approximately 100 people at their hearing about a proposed gas storage field south of the city.

Western GAs Resources Storage Inc. of Denver proposes the storage facility in the Fulshear Field, while area residents, known collectively as the Hillebrenner Protesters, oppose the project.  Attorneys for both sides agreed to the commission extending the hearing initially scheduled to continue Tuesday Oct. 1 in Austin to Monday, Oct. 28 to ensure that all affected parties are notified.

Friday's meeting began about 8:30 a.m. and the anticipated schedule extended to 6 p.m.  If necessary to hear all those who wanted to speak, Ramon Fernandez Jr., technical examiner, and Peggy Gray, hearings examiner, conducted the session on behalf of the Texas Railroad Commission.

Patrick Thompson, Austin attorney, represented Western Gas Resources, while attorney Fred Abbey of Houston represented property owner Andrew D. DiFiore, and Katy-area resident Bill Bell spoke on behalf of the Hillebrenner Protesters.

State officials said the comments would be reviewed as part of the decision-making process.  A proposal for decision will be available to all involved parties in the case, said Fernandez.  Exceptions to the case can be filed with 10 days of the decision proposal being circulated, and replies to the exceptions within 10 days of their being filed.

Thompson talked about the need for gas-storage facilities to best serve consumers, industry employees and Houston Lighting & Power, which is expected to be a principal customer should the company obtain state approval.  Bell said the principal concern should be the public.