UGI’s installation of a regulator off the ramp just south of Pine Street Bridge in West Catasauqua has resulted in complaints from the nearby neighborhood over noise coming from the machinery and questions over the legality of its location.

Edmund Young, of Fullerton, went before Whitehall Township Board of Commissioners this month, noting he goes fishing in the Lehigh River, which is close to the newly constructed UGI regulator. He has learned a “No Trespassing” sign has been put up at the site, just off the ramp at the bridge.

Along with the complaint of being denied access to the river, Young said the noise from the regulator is excessive and asked the township to do something to quell it.

In operation for three months, the regulator brings high-pressured gas from near Lehigh Valley International Airport, under the Lehigh River by a privately owned rail line in Whitehall, to the regulator. It is then converted into low-pressured gas.

A gas line was constructed by a contractor for UGI, as was the regulator.

Commissioner Philip Ginder, along with other board members, said the township has no noise ordinance, and to bring about an ordinance would not only be expensive but very difficult to monitor and enforce.

The other issue is that UGI is regulated by Pennsylvania Public Utilities Commission, which gives the township little authority over the regulator.

Regarding the area where the regulator was installed, Whitehall Township Mayor Edward D. Hozza Jr. said, “The township attorney, the utilities attorney and the private property owner have been working to resolve the property issues.”

Previously, UGI’s counsel withdrew a zoning application for setbacks with the township on grounds that it is exempt under the state PUC rules.

Hozza said UGI has not ruled out placing the regulator inside a small building to reduce the noise levels. The mayor said he witnessed the loud noise personally when visiting the site.

When construction of the lines were done by a private contractor last fall, the township, on several occasions, had to admonish the contractor because of noncompliance issues. Traffic was often at a standstill or redirected, particularly when construction of the Hokendauqua-North Catasauqua Bridge was underway at the same time.

Motorists had no way to cross the river and had to make detours on their route.