Three-year battle between Duke, protesters nears deadline

A crowded town hall meeting on Wednesday became the latest salvo in a years-long conflict between members of a grassroots activist group and Duke Energy over the company’s plans to install a gas pipeline extension spanning from Fairfax to Blue Ash. Although members of NOPE — Neighbors Opposing Pipeline Extension — have regularly protested the project since 2016, Wednesday’s effort to win new converts and embolden current members had a new urgency. If the group is unsuccessful in persuading the Ohio Siting Board that placing the extension under residential neighborhoods is too dangerous, it could be approved by the end of the summer.