Jul. 25--BRIGHAM CITY -- Top of Utah residents will have two more chances to voice their opinions about the natural gas Ruby Pipeline next week.

Two public hearings will be held in Utah about the recently released draft environmental impact statement for the project.

Officials from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and Ruby Pipeline will be on hand to answer questions and listen to concerns.

The draft EIS examines the effects the pipeline could have on all aspects of the environment, from sensitive species to visual impact and geological studies, said Richard Wheatley, spokesman for Ruby Pipeline LLC, a subsidiary of El Paso Corp.

The company pre-filed its application for the pipeline at the beginning of 2008 and has already collected a lot of feedback from landowners and local governments, Wheatley said.

Those comments were taken into account as FERC looked at the application and are part of the changes FERC made to the pipeline plan, said Tamara Young-Allen, FERC spokeswoman.

Those interested in the route or other pipeline issues are invited to talk to FERC at the public meetings. The new comments will be factored into any future changes FERC makes before releasing the final EIS late this year, Young-Allen said.

Ruby Pipeline representatives won't make a presentation, but will clarify any issues and add answers if FERC or any residents attending want further comment, Wheatley said.

The 675-mile, 42-inch pipeline is supposed to deliver 1.5 billion cubic feet of natural gas per day by early 2011.

Wheatley said the company originally faced opposition from Cache County and some Box Elder residents, but after working with them, he said, much of the opposition has disappeared.

Both counties currently take a neutral position on the pipeline. State Rep. Rhonda Menlove, R-Garland, said while some residents are still frustrated, she's been happier about the company's willingness to listen to residents.

Wheatley said working to make landowners feel comfortable with the pipeline is important to the company because Utahns make up about two-thirds of the private landowners affected.

He said along the total pipeline, 35 to 40 percent of the line will be on privately owned land. A little less than 200 miles of pipeline will cross Utah's three northernmost counties.

For more information, visit www.rubypipeline.com or to read the draft EIS, go to www.ferc.gov under the "What's New" heading.

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