Neighbors Concerned About Noise from Compressor Station

The pipeline company Energy Transfer recently upgraded a compressor station on Round Top Rd. and now neighbors say noise from the new equipment keeps them up at night.

Two residents who live near the compressor station spoke at the Fayette County Commissioners Court meeting last Thursday. The station is located near the corner of Round Top Rd. and Deer Haven Rd.

“That compressor station was there when we bought the property,” said one of the residents, Ed Colman. “There were a couple of compressors, and yeah, depending on the wind we could hear it and it wasn’t too bad. But recently they totally remodeled and added a big compressor. The noise levels are significantly different. I tried to call the company to get some information on what their plans were and if they were going to do any noise abatement. No response, so I’m here because I’m not sure what to do.”

Colman said he doesn’t want to stop the company from using their property.

“I don’t want to stop the process,” he said. “We need the gas. There’s no doubt about it. It’s just a matter of noise.”

Colman said another compressor station down the road was built with a noise suppression system. Colman said he wants the company to install something similar at the station near his property.

Sherrie Cooke, who owns Busted Oaks Cellars, said she measured sound level readings of 75 to 95 decibels on her property when the compressor station is running. Cooke said the noise level peaks above 100 decibels on occasion.

“A lot of times it’s at night and wakes me up,” she said.

Cooke noted that the noise levels are so high that federal labor laws would require workers to wear ear plugs.

“My husband is in the oil and gas business,” she added. “I’m very pro-oil and gas. I’m just asking them to be good neighbors.”

She asked Commissioners if there was any way they could impose a sound level limit.

The Record visited the site on Friday. The station sounded like a jet engine from the driveway of Busted Oak Cellars.

Pct. 2 Commissioner Luke Sternadel, who represents that part of the County, told the Record on Friday that he spoke with Energy Transfer.

“I think (the residents) have a legitimate concern,” Sternadel said.

Sternadel said representatives from Energy Transfer told him they will hire a thirdparty consultant to measure the sound levels and make recommendations for mitigating the nuisance. The Record tried contacting Energy Transfer for comment but they have not responded as of Monday morning.