Evening star., 1951-11-09
Board
DefersDecisiion
On Gas Line
Members Told of
Explosion Peril if
New Pipe Is Barred

NeW ripe is Dorreo
The Arlington County Board
has postponed decision on
whether to modify its objection
to a new gas supply line for near
by Virginia.
The ruling will come at the next
board meeting November II after
a recommendation by the county
Public Utilities Commission.
The board spent almost three
hours last night leaning over
backwards to protect consumers"
and considering whether to
change its objection, placed be-
fore the Federal Power Commits
sion and the Virginia State Cor
poration Commission.
The objection stems from a fear
that the gas company will use
the $4,000 pipe line installa-
ton as an argument for higher
gas charges to consumers in pend
ing hearings on rates.
Warns of Danger.
c. Oscar Berry, attorney for
the Washington Gas Light Co.
and the Potomac Gas Co., told
the board the present line is not
adequate to supply safe gas main
pressure in case of break in the
Dranesville (VaD supply line. The
new line would run from Key
Bridge to Fillmore street and Lee
boulevard.
He described situation during
peak cold-weather use that could
bring hazards of explosion and
escaping gas in case Of a break
in the Dranesville pipe line. A
big drop in pressure in gas mains
could put out pilot lights and
bring danger Of escaping gas when
pressure was restored, MIR. Berry
said.
He said 5000 new gas meters
have been installed in the Arling-
Observation-Disclosures area in
the last year. bringing so per
cent increase in the use Of gas
lin furnaces. Maximum demand
lon a cold day could not be met
Iby the present pipe line. he said.
The gas company's request be-
fore the FPC for a temporary
emergency certificate to construct
the new line was rejected October
III because "the Arlington County
Board, among other things, OBJ
Ijects to the application in the
labsence of any showing on the
kind and probability of an emer-
lgency situation which may re-
uluuire the proposed construction, +"
the FPC said. mo showing has
been made.
II Hearing December 4.
|. A hearing on a permanent certi.
y f1cate to build the line Is sched-
uled at the FPC on December l.
But gas company officials have
0 been trying to get the board to
e withdraw its objection to the tenn
t porary certificate before then.
q Gerald j. Glassman, technical
1 assistant to the Arlington PUG
). said gas rates could be increased
b las much as 81 a<month for user.
= Of gas furnaces on the basis Of the
e new pipe line. Company spokes-
J: men denied there would be an in
0 crease. but Mr.. Glassman said
, present rates should be reduced.
!, Mrs. Florence Cannon, board
r chairman. said: II don't believe
n consumers would suffer as much
= by paying a few dollars more or
their bills than if there weren't
= any heat in January. We are
/, leaning over backwards to protect
o the consumers and if there is any.
= thing to this emergency, we DOM
want to gamble with the health
d OF our constituents.
k Dugan SCOTS at Emergency.
+ Board Member Daniel A. Dugar
+, charged the emergency is some.
: thing that has been cooked up
7. and said: mot a single pilot light
e not single stove, not a singl.
e furnace will go out this winter
or I'll eat these papers ir
front of me-" He said the ga.
company's claim of an emergenc,
is ruse to get more control ovel
: the ,Rosslyn Gas Co., "or I'll ea
= more papers,"
It The PUG may recommend that
e the board modify its objection
= provided FPC experts verify tn,
g company's claim of an Imminent
: emergency and provided the com.
pany refrains from asking fol
higher gas rates because of tn.
new pipe line.
A report on proposed change.
u in the county's business and pro.
d fessional business license tax
k being prepared by the Fisca
Affairs Committee, was asked fol
= as soon as possible by Mr.. Dugan
Mrs. Cannon said she hoped tx
Isee action Of the report before
the end of her term in January.