A new natural gas pipeline will be constructed through Austin County beginning in April of 2023.

Land rights are currently being negotiated with Austin County residents for the necessary right of way by Norfleet Land Services.

According to a fact sheet distributed to local officials, the new Matterhorn Express Pipeline natural gas pipeline will have sections which are 42-inches in diameter, as well as 36 and 30-inche diameter sections. The pipe thickness will be .6 of an inch and will be constructed at the three-foot standard depth below the surface in most places. The 5-foot minimum depth required by state regulations will be met at road crossings.

The pipeline originates in Rankin, Texas and ends in Katy. Construction is expected to take place from April 2023 until April 2024. The type of Right of Way being acquired is considered an easement, and the width of the permanent easement being acquired is 50 feet, while the typical width of the additional workspace required is 75 feet.

The Matterhorn Express has the right of Eminent Domain because it will be classified as a gas utility in the state, and, like all other gas and oil pipelines, it will be regulated by the Texas Railroad Commission and the United States Army Corps of Engineers.

The total length of the pipeline is 422 miles, and 49.88 miles of that will run through Austin County, along the west side of Sealy.

Austin County Judge Tim Lapham says there will not be a public hearing on the pipeline because there is nothing the county or residents can do to stop its construction, due to the eminent domain rights the company has. He suggests that any landowner who is approached for right of way should hire a pipe line attorney to make sure they are getting the best deal possible for their land rights.

According to the fact sheet, the maximum annual tax revenue created by the pipeline will be over $3 million, based on full pipeline utilization. The local area will receive some economic benefits during construction in the form of increased patronage to local hotels, dining & other businesses. Longterm economic benefits include a reliable natural gas supply to Texas consumers and the creation of 50 permanent jobs in Texas.

More information about this new pipeline will be included in future issues of The Sealy News and on www.SealyNews.com as it becomes available.