The proposed natural gas compressor station for Myersville has been put on hold, for now. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commissioners says it will consider requests for a rehearing of its order allowing Dominion Transmission, Inc. to move forward with the project.

"In order to afford additional time for reconsideration of the matters raised or to be raised, a rehearing of the Commission's order is hereby granted for the limited purpose of further consideration and timely-filed rehearing requests will be not deemed denied operation of law." That's the official order from FERC dated February 11th, and signed by Nathaniel J. Davis, Sr., Deputy Secretary of the Commission.

In December, 2012, FERC approved the application from Dominion Transmission to allow the Allegheny Storage Project, which includes the Myersville compressor station, to proceed, agreeing with the applicant that it's necessary to provide an efficient supply of natural gas to consumers and distributors.

Since then, FERC has received several requests to rehear the case, saying it has not considered evidence that the gas compressor station could have an adverse impact on residents. In addition, the Town of Myersville has denied a request from DTI to build the facility at Milt Summers and Myersville Roads. DTI is suing the town over that decision. Myersville's Mayor and Town Council held a close meeting on the suit Tuesday night.

This decision by FERC to rehear the case comes as no surprise to Ted Cady, with Myersville Citizens for a Rural Community. He says the case itself may not be reheard at all. "It's a delay and to allow more time for them to decide whether they will in fact have a rehearing or not," he says. "In couple months time, they could come back and say 'no, our decision is still set and we will not have a rehearing.'"

Cady also says the decision by FERC was rushed, and it didn't consider all the evidence that this project could have a negative affect on nearby residents.  "The process of issuing the certificate prior to getting the air permit. At the end of the certificate, there are requirements for DTI to get the air permit, but yet they {FERC} have issued the certificate," says Cady.

The Maryland Department of the Environment is the agency which issues the air permit. MDE denied the request, saying that would usurp local zoning authority, and the Department can't do that.  DTI is also suing MDE over the state's decision.