Vermont Gas protester arrested at Essex worksite

ESSEX One protester from Rising Tide Vermont chained herself a Vermont Gas Systems pipe site in Essex this morning to protest Phase 1 of the Addison-Rutland Natural Gas Project.

Johanna Anderson of Plainfield remained locked to a section of exposed pipe for three and a half hours before surrendering to police shortly before 11 a.m.

About one dozen protesters arrived at about 6:30 a.m. at the worksite at the intersection of Vermont 2A and 289. Essex police arrived on scene and asked protesters to move away from the construction area. All but Anderson, 28, complied.

Essex police Lt. Ken Beaulieu said protesters were welcome to demonstrate on the site but outside the construction zone.

"We have to balance the right to protest vs. the rights of the company to do its lawful business," Bealieau said.

Rising Tide wants to delay construction of the 41-mile pipeline, which will run from Colchester to Middlebury and Vergennes. Vermont Gas broke ground last June and plans to finish Phase 1 in fall 2016.

Police repeatedly told Anderson to leave, but she refused. Beaulieu said his officers worked with Vermont Gas engineers to figure out how to remove Anderson from the pipe.

The task would have been difficult, Beaulieu said, because police did not know exactly how Anderson secured herself to the pipe. Anderson used a homemade steel contraption which hid her hands and forearms from view.

As police and Vermont Gas engineers debated what action to take, Rising Tide protestors held a banner that read 'Vermont Gas Lies!' and sang songs in support of Anderson.

At 10:15 a.m., Vermont Gas spokeswoman Beth Parent said engineers determined the safest option would be to cut the pipe several feet from Anderson, and slide the woman off it.

By 10:45, workers had stabilized the pipe with wood blocks and put in place a vice-like device to cut the pipe. Police placed a hard hat and ear protection on Anderson to ensure her safety.

As workers began cutting, Anderson slipped her left arm out of the contraption. Police promptly helped Anderson to her feet and placed her in handcuffs.

Police are asking prosecutors to charge Anderson with resisting arrest, unlawful trespass, disorderly conduct (all misdemeanors) and a felony count of unlawful mischief, according to a news release.

Anderson offered a brief comment before officers placed her into the back of a cruiser.

"We're going to keep fighting this pipeline," she said. "It's best that the Public Service Board cancel all the permits now."

Rising Tide spokesman Ryan Gillard said the group intends to be a presence at Public Service Board hearings related to the project next Monday and Tuesday in Montpelier.

Beaulieu said protesters are welcome to demonstrate on the site but outside the construction zone.

"We have to balance the right to protest vs. the rights of the company to do its lawful business," Bealieau said.

PREVIOUSLY: Sit-in briefly disrupts Vermont Gas worksite

Contact Zach Despart at 651-4826 or zdespart@burlingtonfreepress.com. Follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/ZachDespart.