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TUCSON, Ariz. (13 News) – A new $5 billion fuel pipeline could soon run through southern Arizona.
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The Western Gateway Pipeline is a joint project between Phillips 66 and Kinder Morgan. It would stretch from Texas to California with a stop in Tucson. The company was unable to provide specifics as to the pipeline’s exact route, but local officials said they don’t want to see it anywhere in Pima County.
The 900-mile pipeline would stretch from Texas to California with stops in Tucson and Phoenix along the way. The Western Gateway Pipeline is expected to transport 200,000 barrels of refined petroleum products per day, half of which Kinder Morgan said would bolster Arizona’s fuel supply.
Its goal is to offset refinery closures in California, which energy experts say have decreased Arizona’s oil supply and increased gas prices.
The pipeline is still in the early stages, but Pima County Supervisor Jennifer Allen said she doesn’t expect there to be a lot of support from county leaders.
“It doesn’t serve Pima County; we are just a pass-through community,” said Allen.
It’s not clear what areas the pipeline would run through, but Allen worries any construction may overlap with the more than 200,000 acres of conservation land in Pima County.
“It is hard to get from South Texas to L.A. without getting close to places like Saguaro National Park, Ironwood Forest National Monument, you know, going across other important conservation lands,” Allen said.
The pipeline’s website said the company’s mission is to provide services in a safe, efficient and environmentally responsible manner, adding that the permitting process for the project will be comprehensive.
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Kinder Morgan, the company behind the new build line, declined a request for an interview. However, they shared the following statement with 13 News.
“The pipeline intends to serve markets that are facing tightening regional supply, driven in part by refinery closures and limited existing pipeline connectivity. Western Gateway is intended to improve supply reliability and flexibility, strengthen energy resilience in the Southwest, and potentially stabilize pump prices. We’re pleased to be offering this solution to the market and look forward to working with the communities as the project progresses.”
But Allen said she’s not sold and hopes the project never sees the light of day in Pima County.
“People don’t want their lands disturbed for something that does not serve them or benefit us in the short or long term,” Allen said.
Kinder Morgan said it hasn’t made any formal proposals and that its mapped routes are still subject to change. However, said more development could be seen in the coming months.
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