All posts by John S. Quarterman

What is that Sabal Trail gas pipeline and how to stop it: SpectraBusters Information Meeting

PDF

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Valdosta, November 11, 2013— Find out Saturday morning about the huge pipeline proposed to run through our area. Who benefits (not Georgia citizens). What fines have been imposed on the pipeline company. What are the potential dangers of corrosion, leaks and more. Most importantly, find out what our community can do to stop this pipeline from being built.

When: 10 AM Saturday November 16th 2013

Where: Meeting Room B
Clarion Inn Conference Center
2101 W Hill Ave, Valdosta, GA 31601
Phone:(229) 242-1212

Agenda:

  • In the path of the pipeline: landowners and others on why we oppose it
  • Allies speak (fossil fuel divestment, clean energy, watershed conservation)
  • Introduction of elected and appointed officials
  • Slide presentation about the pipeline
  • Discussion and opportunities to sign up to help

Spectra Energy proposes Continue reading What is that Sabal Trail gas pipeline and how to stop it: SpectraBusters Information Meeting

Senator Bill Nelson directs FERC to respond

A Sumter County, Florida resident copied her U.S. Senators when she asked FERC to answer the questions Spectra won’t. Senator Bill Nelson directed FERC to answer.

Here’s the letter from Senator Bill Nelson to FERC:

NOV. 1.2013 1:37PM 4078727165 N0.4797 P. 2/4

PF14-1

United States Senate
WASHINGTON. DC 50510-0905
BILL NELSON
FLORIDA
November 1, 2013

Mr. Chris Murray
Director, Division of Governmental Aflairs Continue reading Senator Bill Nelson directs FERC to respond

Tomorrow morning: Spectra at Lowndes County Commission a month early

8:30 AM Monday 11 November 2013, 327 North Ashley Street, Valdosta, GA, according to the Lowndes County Commission Work Session agenda; Nevermind what the front page of the local newspaper of record said two weeks ago. Normally, faster would be better, but not as much if nobody knows about it.

-jsq

Do like drinking anti-freeze? –Blake Clark

On the facebook page 3 November 2013. -jsq

Do you like drinking swimming pool cleaner, table salt, automotive anti-freeze, household cleaners, laundry detergent, hand soap, disinfectants, sanitizers, glass cleaner, or anti-prespirants? NO? Me either, all of these compounds are used in the hydraulic fracturing process (fracking) implemented by Spectra Energy, whom wish to build a pipeline through our county from Alabama to Florida. Join VSU students and Lowndes county members in the viewing of GASLAND part 2. Also, theres an organized movement opposing the new pipeline through our county and state! Spectrabusters.

-Blake Spaghetty Clark

SpectraBusters in Albany Herald

A bit of publicity about pipeline opposition.

Carlton Fletcher wrote for the Albany Herald Friday 1 Nov 2013, ‘Spectrabusters’ opposes 465-mile Alabama-Georgia-Florida natural gas pipeline: A proposed natural gas pipeline through Dougherty County could distribute a billion cubic feet of gas daily, noting under a pipeline map,

The proposed Sabal Trail Pipeline could potentially come through a portion of Dougherty County.

The story did not include this Spectra map of Dougherty County:

In the Albany Herald story:

But if a determined and growing list of landowners in Georgia, Florida and Alabama have a say in the matter, no Spectra Energy-financed shovelful of earth will ever be turned.

A grassroots group calling itself Spectrabusters has grown from common concern over issues surrounding the Sabal Trail Pipeline, and the group clearly states its platform on the spectrabusters.org website: “This site is dedicated to sharing information about the pipeline and working with people from across the area to make sure this unnecessary pipeline is never built.”

The spectrabusters.org website is Continue reading SpectraBusters in Albany Herald

Florida PSC tentatively approved pipeline

Where’s the Georgia Public Service Commission on a pipeline that gashes across Georgia to serve Florida? The Florida Public Service Commission has made an initial ruling.

Ivan Penn wrote for the Tampa Bay Times 24 October 2013, Florida PSC approves third major natural gas pipeline,

State regulators approved the construction of a third major natural gas pipeline Thursday that will increase Florida’s capacity by 20 percent at a cost of $3 billion.

The unanimous vote by the five-member state Public Service Commission clears the first of two major hurdles for the new system that is projected to come on line in 2017.

“The need for this project is Continue reading Florida PSC tentatively approved pipeline

FL PSC determination about Sabal Trail pipeline not final yet

Document 06488-13 of 10/28/2013:

PAA Order PSC-13-0505-PAA-EI on FPL’s proposed Sabal Trail Transmission, LLC and Florida Southeast Connection pipelines; docket to be closed if order becomes final; protest due 11/18/13.

At the top of the document there’s this:

NOTICE is hereby given by the Florida Public Service Commission that the action discussed herein is preliminary in nature and will become final unless a person whose interests are substantially affected files a petition for a formal proceeding, pursuant to Rule 25-22.029, Florida Administrative Code.

And at the end of the document there’s this addendum,

NOTICE OF FURTHER PROCEEDINGS OR JUDICIAL REVIEW

The Florida Public Service Commission is required by Section 120.569(1), Florida Statutes, to notify parties of any administrative hearing that is available under Section 120.57, Florida Statutes, as well as the procedures and time limits that apply. This notice should not be construed to mean all requests for an administrative hearing will be granted or result in the relief sought.

Mediation may be available on a case-by-case basis. If mediation is conducted, it does not affect a substantially interested person’s right to a hearing.

The action proposed herein is preliminary in nature. Any person whose substantial interests are affected by the action proposed by this order may file a petition for a formal proceeding, in the form provided by Rule 28-106.201, Florida Administrative Code. This petition must be received by the Office of Commission Clerk, 2540 Shumard Oak Boulevard, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0850, by the close of business on November 18, 2013.

In the absence of such a petition, this order shall become final and effective upon the issuance of a Consummating Order.

Any objection or protest filed in this/these docket(s) before the issuance date of this order is considered abandoned unless it satisfies the foregoing conditions and is renewed within the specified protest period.

Here’s more context.

-jsq

Moratorium on Open House Meetings until everyone is notified –Carol Singletary

Received yesterday on FERC. If New York can protest a Spectra pipeline maybe we should, too. -jsq

Sabal Trail’s low profile approach to these meetings will keep our community uninformed and unprepared to meet the challenges of the proposed pipeline.

I received a letter that provided instructions on how to go find the meeting times. I found it interesting that a two page letter could be sent requesting authorization for the survey; however, Sabal Trail has made the task incumbent on the property owners to locate the information about these meetings.

Our entire community is impacted and notice has only been provided Continue reading Moratorium on Open House Meetings until everyone is notified –Carol Singletary

Move pipeline to unpopulated electric corridor –Gertrude C. Dickinson

Why should a pipeline company from Texas get to gouge a 100 foot path through a flood plain despite local restrictions and make enough noise to threaten a local resident in Sumter County, Florida? A very thorough comment on Sabal Trail’s PF14-1 by Gertrude C. Dickinson raises these questions.

Deed restrictions with flood plain restrictions According to deed restrictions on her lot, which is uphill from the proposed pipeline route. Downhill is hardly less in the flood plain of Florida’s Withlacoochee River in Sumter County.

No permanent structures of fill material of any sort shall be placed within the delineated flood plain areas.

We’ve heard from Ms. Dickinson before, in her letter to SpectraBusters, Half Moon Wildlife Management Area and Sabal Trails and in a story by mynews123.com, Florida opposition to Spectra pipeline. Here’s her comment sent 12 October 2013 and stamped received 21 October 2013 by FERC:

Letter (1 of 2) Docket #PF 14-1
Sabal Transmission

Gertrude C. Dickinson
7963 CR247
(Rutland Ranch DeveIopment- Deed Restricted)
(Rutland, Florida 33538)
Post Office Mailing Address:
Lake Panasoffkee, FL 33538

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
Attn: Secretary Sarah McKinley
888 First Street N.E
Washington, DC 20426
RE: Pre-filing Docket- Sabal Transmission II PF14—1

Half Moon Wildlife Management Area Continue reading Move pipeline to unpopulated electric corridor –Gertrude C. Dickinson