Opinion

It was past time to get out and look around a bit

RBC — In the nearly three months I have been here, I have spent most of my time covering events either in Meeker or Rangely.
Beyond that, I haven’t ventured out much. There’s been lots going on, right here in Rio Blanco County, to keep me plenty busy. I’m either working or … let’s see, I’m working.
I know, get a life, right?
I don’t mind, though. I enjoy what I do. Besides, it’s given me opportunities to get know the people and the towns in the county. But people keep telling me I need to get out of town every once in awhile.
OK, I have been to Rifle, twice. Once to pick up some inserts to run in the newspaper. While there, I had lunch at a Mexican restaurant. Good food; lousy service.
This past week, however, I explored some new areas.
First, I drove out to the Piceance Basin. I had heard so much about the area, but I had never been out there.
I attended the com-munity bar-becue last Thursday, put on by Williams Energy, in celebration of its 100th year in business, which, in itself, is impressive.
The event included tours of the new Willow Creek Gas Processing Plant, as well as a barbecue meal — which was delicious, by the way — served at the old Rock Creek School.
The energy companies have their detractors, for sure. More on that later. But in the limited dealings I have had with the some of the Williams folks, they strike me as professional and knowledgeable.
Jeff Harvey is project leader for the construction project of the Willow Creek facility. Whether you approve of the plant or not, it is impressive how quickly the plant is taking shape.
There are 300 people working on the plant, which, when it is up and running, will process 450 million cubic feet of natural gas a day. That sounded like a lot, but I had nothing to relate it to. So I looked on the Internet and found where Enterprise’s Meeker gas plant, which went online last year, has a capacity to process 750 cubic feet a day. And a second Enterprise plant is currently under construction, which will double that processing capacity.
There’s enough room, at the site of the Williams plant, to build two more facilities, Harvey said, without having to clear any more land.
“We are direct competitors with the Enterprise facility,” Harvey said.
Construction of the Williams plant, which began June 1, has been fast and furious. Workers are trying to have buildings enclosed by September, in plenty of time before winter sets in, which will “shorten the construction window,” Harvey said.
The goal is to have the plant online sometime in the third quarter of 2009, best case scenario, by July.
“That’s our target,” Harvey said. “It depends on what winter does.”
Asked about the price tag, Harvey said, “The budget we have for this facility is $350 million.”
He said plants like Willow Creek are calculated, conservatively, to have a life expectancy of 20 years. He said the company had plants that had more than doubled that lifespan.
Asked where the workers come from who are constructing the plant — the contractor is Rust — Harvey said 80 percent of them come from the Gulf Coast area, states like Alabama and Louisiana.
I talked to another person associated with Williams — he is involved in arranging housing for workers — and he told me all of the new apartments, located near the Meeker Recreation Center, had been leased for Williams workers.
So, just how fast is work progressing on the new Williams plant?
Put it this way, Harvey said, “That site was, basically, dirt 10 weeks ago.”
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Of course, not everyone is thrilled about the presence of the energy companies and how it has altered life on the Western Slope. As with anything of this impact, there are tradeoffs. There are winners, and there are losers. That will continue to be an ongoing debate in Colorado, as it should be. So, when one Williams employee asked a rancher, who is a neighbor of the gas plant, what he thought, he said, “I wish it would all go away.” I at least give the Williams employee credit for asking the question, even though I’m guessing it wasn’t the answer she expected … or wanted to hear.
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I also “got of town” Saturday and made my first-ever trip to Grand Junction. OK, it was a blind date, set up by a friend. But that’s a whole other column.
I found Grand Junction all right, though it took longer to get there than I thought it would. But I did have to call, uh, my date — three times — to get directions on how to find the “old” downtown area.
Like I said, I don’t get out much.

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  • Mormon crickets have hatched near Rangely. They were all sighted on BLM land north of Hwy. 64 near the junction of CR 96 and CR 1, down a dirt road near the Moffat County line.  The picture shown was taken yesterday by Mary Meinen from Rangely. She says the crickets are about the size of a ladybug (less than 1/2”). Some of them are actually yellow in color but most of them are darker. They are milling around and getting ready to start moving soon. Note: Photo is not to scale.
Rio Blanco County and the White River and Douglas Creek Conservation Districts are still asking for your help to identify additional hatch-outs of crickets so that control efforts can be put in place. The success of the program will highly depend upon local landowners and the public helping to locate crickets as soon as they hatch.  See last week’s paper for a list of ways to help or contact the County Weed & Pest District at 970-878-9670 or the Conservation District office at 970-878-9838 with any questions. Website: www.WhiteRiverCD.com
  • Read part three of the story of M.T. Streeter in this week’s edition of History Lessons! Find it in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
  • Meeker FFA Chapter members competed at the District Leadership Development Event in Craig, Colorado, this month. Top row from left to right: Eva Scritchfield, Charlie Rogers, Alan Rivera, Trent Sanders, Koy Weber, Orion Musser, Said Rodriguez, Carlos Carrillo, Aidan Tapia, Hayden Garcia, Tristan Rollins, Mathew Willey, Quentin Simpson. Middle row: Sidney Keetch, Aurora Stallings, Sydnie Ross, Ava Nay, Lili Piper, Leah Wood. Bottom Row: Jaicee Simmons, Kailynn Watson, Cody Richardson, Kayla Castillo, Braydin Raley, Autumn Stallings, Aimee Shults, Emily Hamm. Read the full story online at ht1885.com.
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It’s getting late, do you know where your kids are? Read all the Rio Happenings for this week in print or online at ht1885.com.
It’s getting late, do you know where your kids are? Read all the Rio Happenings for this week in print or online at ht1885.com.
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Mormon crickets have hatched near Rangely. They were all sighted on BLM land north of Hwy. 64 near the junction of CR 96 and CR 1, down a dirt road near the Moffat County line.  The picture shown was taken yesterday by Mary Meinen from Rangely. She says the crickets are about the size of a ladybug (less than 1/2”). Some of them are actually yellow in color but most of them are darker. They are milling around and getting ready to start moving soon. Note: Photo is not to scale.
Rio Blanco County and the White River and Douglas Creek Conservation Districts are still asking for your help to identify additional hatch-outs of crickets so that control efforts can be put in place. The success of the program will highly depend upon local landowners and the public helping to locate crickets as soon as they hatch.  See last week’s paper for a list of ways to help or contact the County Weed & Pest District at 970-878-9670 or the Conservation District office at 970-878-9838 with any questions. Website: www.WhiteRiverCD.com
Mormon crickets have hatched near Rangely. They were all sighted on BLM land north of Hwy. 64 near the junction of CR 96 and CR 1, down a dirt road near the Moffat County line. The picture shown was taken yesterday by Mary Meinen from Rangely. She says the crickets are about the size of a ladybug (less than 1/2”). Some of them are actually yellow in color but most of them are darker. They are milling around and getting ready to start moving soon. Note: Photo is not to scale. Rio Blanco County and the White River and Douglas Creek Conservation Districts are still asking for your help to identify additional hatch-outs of crickets so that control efforts can be put in place. The success of the program will highly depend upon local landowners and the public helping to locate crickets as soon as they hatch. See last week’s paper for a list of ways to help or contact the County Weed & Pest District at 970-878-9670 or the Conservation District office at 970-878-9838 with any questions. Website: www.WhiteRiverCD.com
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View on Instagram |
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Meeker FFA Chapter members competed at the District Leadership Development Event in Craig, Colorado, this month. Top row from left to right: Eva Scritchfield, Charlie Rogers, Alan Rivera, Trent Sanders, Koy Weber, Orion Musser, Said Rodriguez, Carlos Carrillo, Aidan Tapia, Hayden Garcia, Tristan Rollins, Mathew Willey, Quentin Simpson. Middle row: Sidney Keetch, Aurora Stallings, Sydnie Ross, Ava Nay, Lili Piper, Leah Wood. Bottom Row: Jaicee Simmons, Kailynn Watson, Cody Richardson, Kayla Castillo, Braydin Raley, Autumn Stallings, Aimee Shults, Emily Hamm. Read the full story online at ht1885.com.
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Choose-your-own-adventure…. Hear from our Editor in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
Choose-your-own-adventure…. Hear from our Editor in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
4 days ago
View on Instagram |
5/9
A crew from the Flat Tops Chapter of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation joined forces last summer to remove obsolete fences to improve habitat for wildlife. Read the full story and the foundation’s update from their 30th Anniversary meeting in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
A crew from the Flat Tops Chapter of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation joined forces last summer to remove obsolete fences to improve habitat for wildlife. Read the full story and the foundation’s update from their 30th Anniversary meeting in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
5 days ago
View on Instagram |
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Black Sulphur Tavern held a grand opening and ribbon cutting for their new business at 364 Seventh St. The space has been renovated with several TVs and games and provides a fun, friendly atmosphere to watch your favorite sports team and enjoy a burger and wings. Owners Frank Maestas and Pat Maestas are pictured with their new staff and Chamber of Commerce representatives Stephanie Hanson, Trudy Burri and Margie Joy. Follow Black Sulphur Tavern on Facebook. Their hours are Wednesday and Thursday 3-9 p.m., Friday 3 p.m. - 1 a.m., Saturday 11-1 a.m., Sunday 11 a.m. to midnight.
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The winning teams and individuals for the 18th annual White River Community Association Buy-Fly Fishing Tournament are as follows. Individual top weight catch was Dave Metrovich and longest fish was Kevin Massey. First place team won by Rio Blanco Abstract: Erik Eckman, Adam Parrett, Dave Metrovich and Wayne Kirkpatrick. Second place team was Drake Consulting: Travis Kaiser, John Douglas, Tony Bartolomucci and Bob Brandeberry. Third place team Mr. Rogers and the Hood (accepted by Doug Rogers) Gary Rogers, Mark Beauchamp, Kyle Schutte and Rick Gunter. The white fish have been frozen and will be served at the annual White River Community Association fish fry fundraiser in June.
6 days ago
View on Instagram |
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Cowboy Carson Klinzmann on the mound for Meeker at Suplizio Field in Grand Junction last Saturday. Meeker took on the 4A Rifle Bears, losing 11-1, and the Basalt Longhorns, losing 7-3. Read the recap online at ht1885.com.
Cowboy Carson Klinzmann on the mound for Meeker at Suplizio Field in Grand Junction last Saturday. Meeker took on the 4A Rifle Bears, losing 11-1, and the Basalt Longhorns, losing 7-3. Read the recap online at ht1885.com.
6 days ago
View on Instagram |
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