SHARONVILLE, Ohio -- Leaders from 14 communities around Hamilton County and members of Neighbors Opposing Pipeline Extension (NOPE) will protest a controversial gas pipeline that Duke Energy plans to lay through the Tri-State.
Opponents to the Central Corridor Gas Pipeline Extension Project will gather at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Sharonville Convention Center with Hamilton County commissioners to make sure local leaders and Duke Energy officials address concerns and questions about the pipeline.
RELATED: Duke's proposed 30-inch gas pipeline ignites firestorm of opposition
NOPE said in a news release that residents along three routes have been receiving notices that Duke will be surveying their properties and taking soil samples over the next few weeks in preparation for the project, whose formal application must be submitted to the Ohio Power Siting Board on or before Sept. 15.
Duke says the pipeline project "will enhance gas supply reliability and flexibility across the system, replace and modernize aging infrastructure and position Duke Energy to supply growing demand for natural gas in southwest Ohio."
Members of NOPE say the 12 miles of pipeline through northern Cincinnati and central Hamilton County could be dangerous, and they don't want it in their neighborhoods.
"It's going to be very disruptive to the community, and we think there's a better way so the idea is to let other people know about it and get as big of a voice as we can," said NOPE member Tammy Reasoner. "We want to get enough momentum going that Duke would consider an area that wouldn’t be as dangerous and in as highly populated of an area."
NOPE prepared Tuesday night by gathering its members to make protest signs at a Pleasant Ridge church. Wednesday's meeting comes after similar event that took place June 15.
Duke has said it can operate the pipeline safely, but it has been taking extra time to consider the project. If it goes forward, Duke has to pick two possible routes and turn them into the siting board, which will then consider the proposal.
Check Duke's frequently asked questions page about the proposed project here. See the three proposed routes below. 
