Filed with FERC 1 December 2013:
Thomas Lovett, Quitman, GA.
December 1, 2013
Thomas D. Lovett
250 Monument Church Road
Quitman, GA 31643Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
888 First Street, NE
Washington, D.C. 20426Re: FERC Docket No. PF-14-1
Dear FERC,
As a Brooks County, Georgia landowner who would be directly affected by Sabal Trail Transmission, LLC’s proposed pipeline, I adamantly oppose this proposed pipeline, for the reasons stated below.
The 36-inch pipeline/easement would cut a path approximately 5,480 feet long and 100 feet wide across our family farm, located at 250 Monument Church Road, Quitman, Georgia, 31643. Our family farm has been continuously owned by my family for more than 100 years. I live on the farm with my wife and two boys.
The pipeline, if allowed, would be approximately 680 feet directly behind our residence. It would be approximately 790 feet from nearby Morning Star Church (400 Morning Star Church Road, Quitman, Brooks County, GA 31643). My neighbor’s residence, located at 149 Morning Star Church Lane, Quitman, Brooks County, GA 31643 (owned by Brooksco Farms, Inc, P. O. Box 509, Monument Church Road, Quitman, Brooks County, GA 31643) would be approximately 55 feet from the pipeline.
Sabal Trail desires to install its 36-inch diameter pipeline and 100-foot wide easement adjacent to an existing 100-foot wide gas pipeline/easement placed on our farm by another gas company about 50 years ago. One pipeline/easement on our property is enough. A second pipeline/easement is onerous and unfair. Sabal Trail’s proposed gas line/easement would destroy an area of old-growth natural hardwood woodland and wetlands/swampland on the south end of our farm. This area has not been used or disturbed or had any trees cut or removed since the old gas line was installed. A groundwater recharge area and more wetlands lie immediately south of our property in the path of the proposed pipeline. Even though we are prohibited from using the existing gas line easement, we have paid property taxes on the easement since it was installed. If Sabal Trail’s gas line is allowed, we will lose the use of even more land yet continue to pay property taxes on this easement also.
Sabal Trail is wholly-owed affiliate of Spectra Energy Corporation.
Spectra Energy’s safety record is awful. For instance, I read that EPA levied a fine against Spectra for $15 million for spilling PCB’s at 89 locations along another pipeline. Last December, PHMSA fined Spectra more than $134,000 for violating federal regulations (including violating Spectra’s own safety standards). I read that there have been 21 cases made against Spectra Energy by PHMSA, involving more than $8 million in property damage. This poor safety record indicates Sabal Trail’s pipeline presents an unacceptable risk to us, our health and safety.
For the above reasons, I ask that you decline to allow Sabal Trail to install a pipeline on our farm.
Sincerely,
/s/ Thomas D. Lovett
Thomas D. Lovett
250 Monument Church Road
Quitman, GA 31643
Phone (work) 229-242-8838
tlovett@kelleylovett.com
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