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Dominion Post
3 days ago
- Business
- Dominion Post
Hope Gas Morgantown pipeline makes progress: A visit to construction sites
dbeard@ MORGANTOWN – Hope Gas is making steady progress on its Morgantown Connector Project – a new 30-mile pipeline from Wadestown to Morgantown – and took The Dominion Post on a visit to several sites along the route last week. A section of pipeline is buried and awaits reclamation. Brittany McDaniel, Hope's director of Engineering Project Management, and Colin Mitchell, project manager for contractor Apex Pipeline Services, led the tour. Jonell Carver, Hope's chief operating office, Chris Hendrick, Hope vice president for Reliability, and Jason Barnette, with Hope's land department, also joined. Nitro-based Apex is the contractor for the 10-mile 'spread' leading into Morgantown. Charleston-based Ace Pipeline won the contracts for the two other 10-mile spreads. Apex started cutting trees in January, McDaniel said, and expects to be nearly done with its work by the end of July into August – ahead of schedule. Ace is also ruining ahead of schedule. The line is planned to go into service Nov. 1, at the start of winter heating season when demand picks up. Additional restoration and cleanup will continue into 2026. Another view of the buried section. Hope is building the pipeline to meet increased demand for natural gas in the Morgantown area. A second line will also provide redundancy – should there ever be an issue with the existing line. But Hope also said during our Wednesday tour that one of its missions it to create West Virginia jobs. Mitchell said Apex is employing about 150 people for its spread, while Ace has about 300 on its two sections. McDaniel said each spread also requires 20-30 Hope inspectors and support staff. And that doesn't count service jobs – dump trucks and delivery trucks – and indirect jobs for hotels, restaurants and the various suppliers, Mitchell said. We visited three sites in various stages of development. At one, outside Westover, two big yellow shovels sat at the bottom of a hill. A line of 16-inch pipe ran down the cleared right of way. Metal support structures keep the pipe off the ground. A section of reclaimed hillside. At the next site, also outside Westover, the right of way runs up and down more hills and the pipe is buried. Mitchell said the line must have a minimum of 3 feet of coverage, but there's usually more. And the original ground goes back on top of that, so the line is generally about 6-7 feet below the surface. McDaniel noted that laying pipeline is different from running it along flatland. As West Virginia companies, both contractors have an advantage. 'They know how to handle this mountainous terrain.' The third site, out Fairmont Road and up Little Indian Creek Road near the Arkwright Mine, is already reclaimed. Grass is growing on the right of way running down the hill. They work with landowners, McDaniel said, to meet their needs and demand for specific types of grass, fencing, property line posts and so on. And while the original design ran as straight as possible, she said, they've adjusted the course for the realities on the ground – including the residents along the way. The second site was moved several hundred yards to avoid a new subdivision under construction. McDaniel estimated that the project right of way involved about 243 landowners. We've reported several times that Hope filed 31 condemnation suits – seeking eminent domain – in Monongalia County Circuit Court, and spoken with landowners unhappy with Hope's negotiations for compensation. A look at court records on Thursday showed 23 cases open and eight settled and closed. We asked McDaniel about those holdouts. 'We're working on that,' she said. Some are in the process of resolution and will be settled while some will be resolved by the court. Along with compensation for loss of land use, some landowners raised pipeline safety concerns to The Dominion Post. We also asked McDaniel about that. She said, 'As far as I'm concerned, pipelines are the safest form of [gas] transportation that there is.' She has lines across her land, she said, and described some of the safety measures they employ, including X-raying all the pipe welds and testing the lines to 1.5 times their operating pressure.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Hope Gas Morgantown pipeline makes progress: A visit to construction sites
Jun. 1—dbeard @ MORGANTOWN — Hope Gas is making steady progress on its Morgantown Connector Project — a new 30-mile pipeline from Wadestown to Morgantown — and took The Dominion Post on a visit to several sites along the route last week. Brittany McDaniel, Hope's director of Engineering Project Management, and Colin Mitchell, project manager for contractor Apex Pipeline Services, led the tour. Jonell Carver, Hope's chief operating office, Chris Hendrick, Hope vice president for Reliability, and Jason Barnette, with Hope's land department, also joined. Nitro-based Apex is the contractor for the 10-mile "spread " leading into Morgantown. Charleston-based Ace Pipeline won the contracts for the two other 10-mile spreads. Apex started cutting trees in January, McDaniel said, and expects to be nearly done with its work by the end of July into August — ahead of schedule. Ace is also ruining ahead of schedule. The line is planned to go into service Nov. 1, at the start of winter heating season when demand picks up. Additional restoration and cleanup will continue into 2026. Hope is building the pipeline to meet increased demand for natural gas in the Morgantown area. A second line will also provide redundancy — should there ever be an issue with the existing line. But Hope also said during our Wednesday tour that one of its missions it to create West Virginia jobs. Mitchell said Apex is employing about 150 people for its spread, while Ace has about 300 on its two sections. McDaniel said each spread also requires 20-30 Hope inspectors and support staff. And that doesn't count service jobs — dump trucks and delivery trucks — and indirect jobs for hotels, restaurants and the various suppliers, Mitchell said. We visited three sites in various stages of development. At one, outside Westover, two big yellow shovels sat at the bottom of a hill. A line of 16-inch pipe ran down the cleared right of way. Metal support structures keep the pipe off the ground. At the next site, also outside Westover, the right of way runs up and down more hills and the pipe is buried. Mitchell said the line must have a minimum of 3 feet of coverage, but there's usually more. And the original ground goes back on top of that, so the line is generally about 6-7 feet below the surface. McDaniel noted that laying pipeline is different from running it along flatland. As West Virginia companies, both contractors have an advantage. "They know how to handle this mountainous terrain." The third site, out Fairmont Road and up Little Indian Creek Road near the Arkwright Mine, is already reclaimed. Grass is growing on the right of way running down the hill. They work with landowners, McDaniel said, to meet their needs and demand for specific types of grass, fencing, property line posts and so on. And while the original design ran as straight as possible, she said, they've adjusted the course for the realities on the ground — including the residents along the way. The second site was moved several hundred yards to avoid a new subdivision under construction. McDaniel estimated that the project right of way involved about 243 landowners. We've reported several times that Hope filed 31 condemnation suits — seeking eminent domain — in Monongalia County Circuit Court, and spoken with landowners unhappy with Hope's negotiations for compensation. A look at court records on Thursday showed 23 cases open and eight settled and closed. We asked McDaniel about those holdouts. "We're working on that, " she said. Some are in the process of resolution and will be settled while some will be resolved by the court. Along with compensation for loss of land use, some landowners raised pipeline safety concerns to The Dominion Post. We also asked McDaniel about that. She said, "As far as I'm concerned, pipelines are the safest form of [gas ] transportation that there is." She has lines across her land, she said, and described some of the safety measures they employ, including X-raying all the pipe welds and testing the lines to 1.5 times their operating pressure.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
6 Fruits That Have More Antioxidants Than Green Tea, According to Registered Dietitians
Antioxidants are vital for overall health, but each type plays a different role in keeping us healthy. While green tea is a strong source of antioxidants, many fruits provide equal or greater antioxidant benefits. Eating a variety of antioxidant-rich foods like berries, apples, plums, and pomegranates is a great way to support your eyes are on antioxidants these days as many of us equate the term with healthfulness—and rightfully so! But what are they, exactly? 'Antioxidants are natural compounds that help protect your body from oxidative stress caused by free radicals,' says Lauren Manaker MS, RDN, LD, a Charleston-based registered dietitian. Free radicals are molecules often at the root of many acute and chronic illnesses Americans face. 'Antioxidants may help protect us from cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, and brain decline,' adds Lori Barrett RDN, LD, registered dietitian. These compounds support immune health from other angles, too. 'Antioxidants have fantastic anti-inflammatory properties,' shares Barrett. But antioxidants are unique from other food-based nutrients and compounds in that there are dozens of different types, from micronutrients like vitamins C and E, to plant compounds like polyphenols. This can make the antioxidant landscape kind of confusing, as each antioxidant benefits our health in specific ways. 'For example, polyphenols can help feed some of our gut bacteria that produce beneficial short chain fatty acids to support brain health, immunity, anti-inflammatory, energy, gut health, disease states, and even weight loss,' says Barrett RDN, LD, a registered dietitian based in Florida Lauren Manaker MS, RDN, LD, a Charleston-based registered dietitianThe sheer amount of antioxidants can also make deciphering rich food sources more convoluted. One easy way to clear this up is by comparing options to a high antioxidant source, like green tea. 'Green tea is a fantastic source of antioxidants, specifically a group known as catechins, with epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) being the most noteworthy. These catechins have been studied for their ability to reduce inflammation, support brain health, and even play a role in cancer risk reduction,' explains Manaker. One cup of green tea can contain anywhere between 50 and 100 milligrams (mg) of catechins depending on how it's grown, harvested, processed, and brewed. But green tea isn't the only place to find high levels of antioxidants. 'They can be found in vegetables, fruits, seeds, nuts, oils, and drinks, too,' shares Barrett. In fact, there are plenty of fruit options that are actually higher in antioxidants than green tea. Though amounts can vary depending on growing, harvesting, and processing conditions (just like green tea), here are six tasty fruits that are not only all-around nutrition VIPs, but boast an equal or higher amount of antioxidants than a single cup of green tea: Antioxidant Content: 57-82 mg per small apple (150 grams)50-75 mg from polyphenols7 mg from vitamin C The term an apple a day keeps the doctor away certainly rings true when you consider the impressive antioxidant quality of this popular fruit. Some of the polyphenol antioxidants you'll find in apples include quercetin and phenolic acids, but this fall favorite is also packed with vitamin C—another popular antioxidant—all equating to incredible immune support. The high fiber and water content of this fall harvest favorite also boosts gut, metabolic, and cell health. Apples are delicious dipped into yogurt or peanut butter, as well as added to smoothies, baked goods, and oatmeal. Antioxidant Content: 151-426 mg per ¾ cup (100 grams)130-405 mg from polyphenols21 mg from vitamin C Oftentimes, the darker the fruit, the more antioxidant-rich it is. 'Purple and blue-colored fruits typically have higher concentrations,' Barrett agrees. And blackberries are no exception. These brilliant purple fruits are loaded with antioxidants like anthocyanins, flavanols, phenolic acids, and vitamin C to help ward off chronic diseases as well as your everyday common cold. But the tiny seeds and skins of these berries also mean that they're super high in fiber—in addition to the impressive amounts of potassium and vitamin A they boast. These nutrients combine to support gut, heart, and eye health. Whether muddled into cocktails and mocktails, or added to yogurt bowls, chia pudding, or intriguing marinades, there's no shortage of tasty ways to enjoy blackberries. Antioxidant Content: 46-146 mg per 1/3 cup (100 grams)15-115 mg from polyphenols31 mg from vitamin C Citrus fruits, like grapefruit, are well-known sources of the antioxidant vitamin C but many may not realize all the other antioxidants this bitter citrus offers. High in flavonoid and phenolic acids, alongside fiber, vitamin A, folate, and potassium, grapefruit champions immune, gut, heart, eye, and metabolic health. If not enjoyed by the spoonful (ideally not doused in too much sugar!), grapefruit makes for an interesting smoothie, baked good, and salad addition. Antioxidant Content: 168-488 mg per 1 cup (100 grams)160-480 mg from polyphenols8 mg from vitamin C Similar to blackberries, blueberries are one of the most antioxidant-dense foods you can find—they're dark blue color is a dead give away. Anthocyanins and quercetin are some of the most notable polyphenol antioxidants found in blueberries, though they're also chock-full of manganese and vitamin K, boosting bone and heart health. Blueberries are fantastic in whole grain pancakes or waffles, smoothie bowls, homemade jam, and even glazes for proteins like chicken and turkey. Antioxidant Content: 132-242 mg per medium-sized plum (100 grams)130-240 mg from polyphenols2 mg from vitamin C Though often forgotten about, plums are not only super tasty, but incredibly nutritious as an impressive source of antioxidants like phenolic acids and anthocyanins—as well as vitamin C. Plus, they offer plenty of vitamin A, vitamin K, and fiber for better eye, bone, heart, and gut health. These fruits can usually only be found fresh in season (mid-summer). However, their dried counterparts, prunes, can be found in whole or juiced form all year-round to support digestion and immunity. But regardless of whether you opt for fresh plums, dried prunes, or prune juice, these ingredients can be added to salads, dressings, a range of beverage recipes, and baked goods. Antioxidant Content: 240 mg per ½ cup juice240 mg from polyphenols0 mg from vitamin C Pomegranates are almost synonymous with antioxidants nowadays thanks to Big Pom's savvy marketing campaigns. But this isn't false advertising by any means, pomegranate juice and arils are chock-full of antioxidants like ellagitannin. Meaningful amounts of folate and potassium are also found in this popular fruit to boost energy metabolism, hydration, and heart health—and the arils are full of fiber for more regular digestion. Pomegranate juice is *chef's kiss* when enjoyed as is or added to mocktails and cocktails, and pomegranate arils are the perfect standalone snack or addition to yogurt, oatmeal, and salads. 'A spinach salad tossed with berries and pomegranate is a home run for your body, too,' adds Barrett. Read the original article on Real Simple
Hindustan Times
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Who is Patrick Bryant? All about Rep. Nancy Mace's ex-fiance as he denies ‘false and outrageous' rape allegations
Nancy Mace, a Republican representative, has reacted after her former fiancé Patrick Bryant denied rape allegations levelled against him. This comes after Mace shared a still image from a video that she claims her ex recorded without her permission, and in which she says he can be seen 'naked silhouette.' Nacy Mace replied to Bryant's statement on X, stating: 'If you aren't a rapist, why would you film a rape and why would you be filmed raping another?'(Getty) In a statement, Bryant, who was Mace's fiancé until 2023, asserted that he 'categorically' rejects Mace's 'false and outrageous' allegations and that he will do 'whatever is necessary and appropriate' to clear his name 'at the right time,' Newsweek reported. Mace replied to Bryant's statement on X, stating: 'If you aren't a rapist, why would you film a rape and why would you be filmed raping another?' She mentioned that 'dozens of women filmed, recorded, and stored on your devices for years would like to know why.' Also Read: Is 'White genocide' really taking place in South Africa? Fact-checking Donald Trump's bombshell claim Nancy Mace reveals nude photo in hearing In an address on the House floor in February, Mace initially accused Bryant, a businessman from the Charleston area, of abusing her physically and filming sex acts with her and others without permission. In addition, she claimed that Bryant and three other men committed sexual misbehavior and rape, and she blamed South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson for inaction after she sent state officials images and video. The four people have denied any misconduct. The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) has not elaborated on the specifics of the probe, but they have acknowledged that Bryant is being investigated. During a hearing on Tuesday, Mace displayed the naked photo of herself, saying: 'This naked silhouette is my naked body. I didn't know that I had been filmed. I didn't give my consent.' Also Read: Photos: Donald Trump mocked by Cyril Ramaphosa as WH meeting turns volatile; 'Sorry I don't have a plane to give you' Who is Patrick Bryant? Here's what we know about his relationship with Nancy Mace Formerly the head of the Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce, Bryant is a Charleston-based businessman and co-founder of the software development company Code/+/Trust. He attended Columbia, South Carolina's Spring Valley High School before landing an internship with the local NBC affiliate, WIS-TV, where he served as a freelance editor and cameraman while attending the University of South Carolina, as per an Assignment Desk profile of the businessman. Following graduation and an apprenticeship in software sales, Bryant began his professional journey in software development by founding Go To Team, a supplier of broadcast video services. From 1999 to 2002, Mace was married to Chris Niemic, an attorney and Air Force Reserve officer. Later in 2004, she married to contractor Curtis Jackson, with whom she shares two kids. But the couple got separated in 2019. She and Bryant allegedly dated for two years and he proposed to her in May 2022 when she was running for reelection to the House. After their split in November 2023, Bryant rejected claims that he had been unfaithful. When their engagement ended, the Daily Mail stated that the pair was arguing over a $1.3 million house in Washington, D.C., in which both parties had equity, and a $3.9 million beachfront home with six bedrooms and a swimming pool
Hindustan Times
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Who is Patrick Bryan? All about Rep. Nancy Mace's ex-fiance as he denies ‘false and outrageous' rape allegations
Nancy Mace, a Republican representative, has reacted after her former fiancé Patrick Bryant denied rape allegations levelled against him. This comes after Mace shared a still image from a video that she claims her ex recorded without her permission, and in which she says he can be seen 'naked silhouette.' In a statement, Bryant, who was Mace's fiancé until 2023, asserted that he 'categorically' rejects Mace's 'false and outrageous' allegations and that he will do 'whatever is necessary and appropriate' to clear his name 'at the right time,' Newsweek reported. Mace replied to Bryant's statement on X, stating: 'If you aren't a rapist, why would you film a rape and why would you be filmed raping another?' She mentioned that 'dozens of women filmed, recorded, and stored on your devices for years would like to know why.' In an address on the House floor in February, Mace initially accused Bryant, a businessman from the Charleston area, of abusing her physically and filming sex acts with her and others without permission. In addition, she claimed that Bryant and three other men committed sexual misbehavior and rape, and she blamed South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson for inaction after she sent state officials images and video. The four people have denied any misconduct. The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) has not elaborated on the specifics of the probe, but they have acknowledged that Bryant is being investigated. During a hearing on Tuesday, Mace displayed the naked photo of herself, saying: 'This naked silhouette is my naked body. I didn't know that I had been filmed. I didn't give my consent.' Also Read: Photos: Donald Trump mocked by Cyril Ramaphosa as WH meeting turns volatile; 'Sorry I don't have a plane to give you' Formerly the head of the Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce, Bryant is a Charleston-based businessman and co-founder of the software development company Code/+/Trust. He attended Columbia, South Carolina's Spring Valley High School before landing an internship with the local NBC affiliate, WIS-TV, where he served as a freelance editor and cameraman while attending the University of South Carolina, as per an Assignment Desk profile of the businessman. Following graduation and an apprenticeship in software sales, Bryant began his professional journey in software development by founding Go To Team, a supplier of broadcast video services. From 1999 to 2002, Mace was married to Chris Niemic, an attorney and Air Force Reserve officer. Later in 2004, she married to contractor Curtis Jackson, with whom she shares two kids. But the couple got separated in 2019. She and Bryant allegedly dated for two years and he proposed to her in May 2022 when she was running for reelection to the House. After their split in November 2023, Bryant rejected claims that he had been unfaithful. When their engagement ended, the Daily Mail stated that the pair was arguing over a $1.3 million house in Washington, D.C., in which both parties had equity, and a $3.9 million beachfront home with six bedrooms and a swimming pool
