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Mammoth Cave National Park Raises Pipeline Concerns

Mammoth Cave National Park is raising concerns about a proposed pipeline that would stretch along a 256-mile path through Kentucky.  Kinder Morgan’s plan to re-purpose a natural gas pipeline has created controversy. 

The 70-year-old pipeline would carry natural gas liquids, and Mammoth Cave officials worry about a spill.  Bobby Carson is the park’s chief of science and resource management.

"There's a potential if the liquids get loose and get into our cave ecosystem, it can impact the groundwater and cave biota such as the Kentucky Cave Shrimp that live underground," Carson told WKU Public Radio.

Park Superintendent Sarah Craighead recently sent a letter to Federal Energy Regulatory Commission which is conducting an environmental assessment of the proposed project.  She made several requests, including a list of all potential chemicals that could be moved through the pipeline. 

Kinder Morgan has said it will examine the pipeline closely, make upgrades where needed, and thoroughly test it before returning it to service.

Lisa is a Scottsville native and WKU alum. She has worked in radio as a news reporter and anchor for 18 years. Prior to joining WKU Public Radio, she most recently worked at WHAS in Louisville and WLAC in Nashville. She has received numerous awards from the Associated Press, including Best Reporter in Kentucky. Many of her stories have been heard on NPR.