“I am stunned by this news of how ETE intends to effectively decimate the presence of Williams Partners LP in the city and region of Tulsa. The filing today with the SEC was completely contrary to ETE’s original statements that the company, its name, and a meaningful ongoing existence would continue in Tulsa,” Bartlett said in his statement.

“Williams is a rock of this community — a cornerstone. Its 100-year existence in Tulsa has weathered enormously difficult and explosively successful times in this city. Without its presence, our downtown would not be achieving such a renaissance for our community. The SEC filing today flies in the face of ETE’s expressed intentions and is the equivalent to cracking this rock into small pieces of gravel.

“If this merger continues to move forward on the premise reported today, I am urging the public to make it known to those at Williams and ETE that the city of Tulsa is not taking this news lightly. We support the incredible talent of the hard working employees of Williams and we’ll do everything we can to change the tenor of ETE’s new position. Shoulder to shoulder and arm in arm, this community will not accept the dismantling of this fine company that has always stood responsibly with its hometown.