Received today. Note this says Georgia EPD does have authority
over an air permit for the Albany compressor station. State agencies do have
direct as well as indirect roles. -jsq
Press Release
For Immediate Release
July 14, 2014
Sabal Trail Natural Gas Pipeline Threatens Air Quality in Southwest Georgia
GreenLaw files comments objecting to proposed natural gas pipeline
Atlanta, GA — Last week, additional concerns were raised about a proposed
natural gas pipeline that threatens to cut across large swaths of
Southwest Georgia, including longleaf pine tracts. GreenLaw, on
behalf of
a number of
conservation groups, filed comments with the
Georgia Environmental Protection Division (GA EPD) that raised
objections about air quality along the pipeline, including a
proposed compressor station outside Albany, Georgia.
Sabal Trail
Transmission, LLC (Sabal Trail), a joint venture of Spectra Energy
Corp and NextEra Energy, Inc., is proposing an approximately
500-mile long pipeline that will run from Alabama through Georgia to
its final destination in Orlando, Florida. Although 196 miles of the
pipeline would run through Georgia, Sabal Trail hasn’t provided any
concrete plans to provide Georgia with natural gas. The
Environmental Protection Agency has questioned whether the pipeline
is needed given that Florida can already meet its projected energy
demands by incorporating energy efficiency measures and using
existing sources.
Not only will Southwest Georgia electricity users
not likely benefit from the natural gas, the compressor station will
threaten air quality. GreenLaw presented evidence that the pipeline
would be a major emitter of nitrogen oxides, volatile organic
compounds, and other air pollutants. This pollution causes a wide
variety of health problems that can lead to hospitalizations and
emergency room visits. “Georgians shouldn’t have to breathe
dirty air and suffer negative health consequences because Florida
wants a new pipeline,” says Ashten Bailey, GreenLaw Air and
Energy Law Attorney. “Sabal Trail is a bad idea from start to
finish.”
The GA EPD will determine if the air permit for the compressor
station should be granted. The state agency will review the comments
filed and either approve the permit as requested, make revisions to
it before approving, or deny the permit outright.
Additional concerns have been raised about the pipeline in other
forums, centering on conservation issues as well as private property
rights.
Southwest Georgia is known for its extensive tracts of
longleaf pine that have been protected from development for
conservation purposes, including habitats for endangered species
like the
gopher tortoise and Eastern indigo snake. In addition,
Sabal Tail has been seeking permission to enter upon the land of
private landowners, who have raised objections to the negative
impacts the pipeline will have on the use and enjoyment of their
property. Executive Director Stephanie Stuckey Benfield states,
“GreenLaw wants to insure that these beautiful tracts of
longleaf pine are preserved for future generations. Sabal Trail’s
application for an air permit should be denied, and this entire
project should be scrapped.”
For citizens interested in
following the progress of the pipeline, please visit
greenlaw.org
to sign up for newsletters and read additional information.
###
GreenLaw
is a Georgia-based nonprofit law firm serving environmental and
community organizations that have been adversely impacted by
pollution. Since 1992, GreenLaw has achieved these goals by
providing free, high-quality legal and technical assistance to
environmental organizations and community groups throughout Georgia.
For more information, visit
www.greenlaw.org and follow
@greenlaw_GA on Twitter.
Media Contacts:
| Stephanie Stuckey Benfield | Ashten Bailey |
| sbenfield@greenlaw.org | abailey@greenlaw.org |
| 404-659-3122 | 404-659-3122 |
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