Gulf Restoration Network moves to intervene on Sabal Trail et al.

An environmental organization protecting the Gulf of Mexico and the wetlands and the streams and rivers flowing into it has filed a motion to intervene with all three parts of the fracked methane pipeline project including Sabal Trail, using a form of filing that other groups could copy.

GRN is concerned that the proposed Sabal Trail pipeline, and other components of the Southeast Market Pipelines Project, is not justified by any existing need and that their construction and operation will unnecessarily destroy coastal wetlands and impair water quality in rivers and streams in Alabama and Florida, with attendant impacts on the Gulf.

Here’s how to file a motion to intervene. GRN’s was filed with FERC 19 December 2014 as Accession Number: 20141219-5312, “Motion to Intervene of Gulf Restoration Network, Inc. under CP15-17, et al”. -jsq

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
FEDERAL ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION

Sabal Trail Transmission, LLC Docket No. CP15-17-000
Hillabee Expansion Docket No. CP15-16-000
Florida Southeast Connection Docket No. CP14-554-000

MOTION TO INTERVENE

Pursuant to Rules 212 and 214 of the Rules of Practice and Procedure of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (the “Commission”), 18 C.F.R. §§ 385.212 and 385.214, and Section 15(a) of the Natural Gas Act (15 U.S.C. § 717n), Gulf Restoration Network, as Intervenor hereby moves to intervene as a party to this proceeding. In support hereof, Intervenor shows as follows:

On November 21, 2014, Sabal Trail Transmission, LLC (“Sabal”) filed its application for a certificate of public convenience and necessity in order to authorize it to construct, operate, and acquire facilities to transport natural gas to downstream markets in the United States. Sabal Trail is a part of but only one component of the Southeast Market Pipelines Project. Expansion. The other two components of the project are the Transco Hillabee Expansion in Alabama and the Florida Southeast Connection pipeline in Florida. The Sabal Trail pipeline cannot function or meet its stated purpose without these other two component projects. Due to the close and interconnected nature of the three pipeline components of the Southeast Market Pipelines we move that we be granted leave to intervene in the three above referenced proceedings.

  1. Contact Information and Service of Filings.

    Intervenor requests that the Commission include the following representatives on the official service list to receive service of all filings and communications made in this proceeding:

    Cynthia Sarthou, Executive Director

  2. Motion to Intervene

    Intervenor is a nonprofit environmental group, with over 900 active members and e-supporters in Alabama and over 4,000 active members and e-supporters in Florida. For 20 years we have worked to protect and restore the natural resources in the states of Alabama and Florida, as well as other states bordering the Gulf of Mexico, including protection of coastal wetlands and water quality in rivers and streams emptying into the Gulf. GRN is concerned that the proposed Sabal Trail pipeline, and other components of the Southeast Market Pipelines Project, is not justified by any existing need and that their construction and operation will unnecessarily destroy coastal wetlands and impair water quality in rivers and streams in Alabama and Florida, with attendant impacts on the Gulf.

    Accordingly, the Commission’s actions in these proceedings, which relate to the construction and operation of the pipeline, directly, and immediately affects Intervenor, and no other party can adequately represent Intervenor’s interests. By intervening in this proceeding, Intervenor will be able to monitor all developments in this matter that may affect Intervenor’s interests including the potential effects of the pipeline’s location, construction, and operation in the event Sabal Trail’s application is approved and a certificate of public convenience and necessity is issued. The Commission, therefore, should allow Intervenor to intervene in these proceedings.

WHEREFORE, for the above reasons, Intervenor requests that the Commission GRANT its Motion to Intervene.

Done this 19th day of December, 2014.

Respectfully submitted,
[signed]
Cynthia M. Sarthou
Executive Director
Gulf Restoration Network
541 Julia Street, Ste 300
New Orleans, LA 70130
(504) 525-1528 ext 202
Email: cyn@healthygulf.org

One thought on “Gulf Restoration Network moves to intervene on Sabal Trail et al.

  1. Is this organization still an intervenor? I am interested on many levels not the least of which I am watching just how corporations use their lawyers to dodge the intent and the interests of most of the population. It’s clear that while they are looking for anything that can be challenged legally, they do not have any evidence that their pipeline is either beneficial or necessary.Not to mention their history which they are trying to exclude, of relaxed safety standards, and even abandoning wells that, while low producing, are still producing! So where is it going?

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