Special to the PVT An underground tank accepting natural gas could be safely buried. Special to the PVT Above-ground tanks may be placed where they can't be struck by vehicles. Advertisement

The senior project manager for a Las Vegas-based consulting firm says it will be at least another six months before a feasibility study can be conducted on plans to bring a natural gas pipeline into the valley.

Richard Nelson, of BEC Environmental Inc., spoke about the pipeline Wednesday morning in the Nugget banquet room to a group of area residents.

Nelson said the proposal is still in the very early stages.

"We're proposing it to the town to get enough feedback to see if it's feasible for the town to do a feasibility study," he said after the presentation.

Earlier this month, Nelson told developers the pipeline would connect to a planned gas-fired plant, but added others in the community could benefit as well.

"If you ladies and gentlemen are behind this, we got a much better chance," he said at that meeting.

Harris Baker, president of Texas-based HBH Gas Systems, spoke Wednesday about the economic and social benefits of bringing natural gas to the valley.

"There are huge marketing advantages in being able to offer underground metered-gas where other communities can't," he said.

Because of its low cost, as well as its efficiency, Baker told attendees, natural gas is attractive to business owners and could be a determining factor in drawing businesses to the area.

"It can do anything from heat your water to run your lawn mowers and power your alternative-fueled cars," he added.

Although HBH primarily is in the business of supplying residential and commercial developments with propane service, Nelson said the infrastructure his company would provide could be easily adapted to accept natural gas.

Older, electric-only homes would be difficult and expensive to retrofit, Baker said, so the project would mostly affect new homes and businesses or possibly even older ones that already accept propane.

Baker also addressed concerns that added propane tanks around town could be a eyesores, saying that whenever possible, the company installs the tanks next to other unattractive locations, like water-purification plants.

As for safety, Baker said the tanks are placed on non-flammable soil and are equipped with safety features to protect against potential car accidents.

When asked by Nye County Commissioner Butch Borasky if a rifle bullet could pose a threat to the tanks, Baker referred to an episode of the television program "Myth Busters," during which propane tanks were shot with a variety of rounds.

Rifle rounds were found to pierce the tanks, but didn't spark an explosion.

"This isn't a very good place to cut corners," Baker explained, "and the industry standards are such that they won't allow us to cut corners."

If the town decides to conduct a feasibility study, Nelson said, an environmental impact study would need to be conducted.

That could be another 18 months away, he estimated.