CONROE, Texas – A natural gas compressor station being built in Conroe has sparked outrage among families and business owners who say the project threatens their safety, property values, and the future of their community.
Blackfin Pipeline is constructing a compressor station in Conroe along its 193-mile pipeline route, less than 150 feet away from Bartholet Home Furnishings, a family-owned business that has operated in Conroe for more than 60 years.
Just across the street is I-45 and in a 5-mile radius is hundreds of homes for people living in Conroe.
“There is absolutely no buffer zone,” said Sarah Bartholet Gwin, a co-owner of Bartholet Home Furnishings. “If there’s an accident, there’s no evacuation time for us, for America’s Furniture Warehouse next door, or for anyone driving on I-45.”
There are three other compressor stations along Blackfin’s pipeline in Burleigh, Batson and Evadale.
Gwin believes the one being built in Conroe is too close for comfort. Their family store is not just a workplace, but also a place where their children play.
“It’s a ticking time bomb,” said Gwin. “All we’re asking is to move it to a safer location."
The Bartholet family is suing Blackfin Pipeline claiming the company has left them in the dark.
“The face of Conroe could change forever with this facility being here,” said Gwin.
Doyle Sanders, an engineer hired for the family, presented a map showing the potential impact radius if there is an explosion at the compression station site. The green rectangle is where Bartholet Home Furnishings is and the purple outline is the compression station.
In a city council meeting last week, council member Marsha Porter said council was not notified about the compressor station and if they did, they would’ve done everything in their power to stop it.
“I am outraged and horrified that not only was city council not informed but there a small window of opportunity to help was stopped,” said Porter in the council meeting.
City council records show council unanimously approved easements for Blackfin Pipeline in July 2024.
Porter said in last week’s meeting city engineers and planning officials failed to alert city council members.
“We stand with you. We’re gonna stand with you all the way. This is our community. And we understand the risks involved with this compressor station. So that’s our commitment to you,” said Mayor Duke Coon to the Bartholet family.
KPRC 2 reached out to Blackfin. Spokesperson Cody McGregor sent us the following statement:
“The safety of our neighbors and the communities where we operate is at the core of our focus. The Blackfin pipeline has been designed and constructed in compliance and cooperation with all regulatory agencies and the project, and its details have been previously reviewed and approved by the City of Conroe. The council’s actions seek to create a chilling effect on the oil and gas industry and de-rail a critical piece of infrastructure that creates jobs in Texas and supports our economy and the reliable availability of its abundant natural gas resource along the gulf coast.”
Homeowners living in Conroe tell KPRC 2 they are thinking of leaving.
“It’s so much even bigger than just myself,“ said Janie Harris. I’m thinking of myself and the danger that it could cause."
Linda and Steven Coy just moved to Conroe from Magnolia in April and said the house they bought was supposed to be their retirement home.
“I don’t want to bring my grandkids to play here,” said Linda Coy.
