Category Archives: Colquitt County

Proposed Sabal Trail Pipeline Threatens Southwest Georgia Communities –in Georgia Sierran

April 28, 2014Alabama, Colquitt County, Dougherty County, Economy, Environment, FE, FERC, Florida, Georgia, Gilchrist County, Hazards, LNG, Lowndes County, Safety, Solar, WaterAlabama, aquifer, China, Colquitt County, Dougherty County, Economy, environment, FE, FERC, Florida, Floridan Aquifer, FPL, FTA, Georgia, Gilchrist County, gopher tortoise, Hazards, Houston, John S. Quarterman, Juno Beach, LNG, LNG export, Lowndes County, Port Dolphin, Sabal Trail Transmission, Safety, solar, Spectra Energy, SpectraBusters, TPP, TTIP, WaterJohn S. Quarterman

In the April-May-June ~~2004~~ 2014 issue of Georgia Sierran Georgia Sierra Club‘s Chapter newsletter. The same issue has an excellent article on Georgia’s aquifers, including the Floridan Aquifer that is a drinking water source for all of Florida, through which the Sabal Trail pipeline proposes to bulldoze.

Proposed Sabal Trail Pipeline Threatens
Southwest Georgia Communities

By John Quarterman
Why should a shell corporation owned by two companies in Houston, Texas and Juno Beach, Florida get to take Georgians’ property to pipe fracked methane to Florida through our fragile karst limestone drinking water aquifer?

Yet that’s what Sabal Trail Transmission, LLC, proposes to do, Continue reading Proposed Sabal Trail Pipeline Threatens Southwest Georgia Communities –in Georgia Sierran →

EPA comments in Moultrie Observer

April 28, 2014Agriculture, Colquitt County, Dougherty County, FERC, Georgia, Hazards, Safety, Trees, WaterAlbany, Chickasawhatchee Swamp, Colquitt County, Dougherty County, EPA, FERC, Flint River, Georgia, Hazards, iron pipeline, John S. Quarterman, longleaf pine, Ochlockonee River, Radium Springs, Sabal Trail Transmission, Safety, SONAT, SpectraBusters, Trees, WaterJohn S. Quarterman

The Colquitt County newspaper noticed the EPA questions to FERC about the Sabal Trail fracked methane pipeline, and even got sort of a response out of Sabal Trail.

Alan Mauldin wrote for the Moultrie Observer 26 April 2014, EPA letter lists concerns with Sabal Trail,

One issue raised by EPA is whether laying a new, 36-inch pipeline in proximity to a 10-inch pipeline built in the 1950s would present a danger to the public.

The alternate route that would take the pipeline through the heart of Colquitt County would for some of its path run parallel to the old iron pipeline.

“Consequently, concerns exist with the safety of Continue reading EPA comments in Moultrie Observer →

Sabal Trail will be expected to adhere and honor all Lowndes County Ordinances –Bill E Slaughter, JR to FERC

April 12, 2014Agriculture, Colquitt County, Environment, FERC, Georgia, Health, Law, Lowndes County, Trees, WaterAgriculture, Bill Slaughter, Colquitt County, environment, FERC, Georgia, Health, John Alderman, John S. Quarterman, Law, Lowndes County, road, SpectraBusters, Trees, USACE, Water, wetlandJohn S. Quarterman

Filed with FERC 11 April 2014. These are apparently the items he referred to Saturday 29 March 2014 at the SpectraBusters panel at VSU. There’s much more that can be done but this is a good step forward. -jsq

Bill E Slaughter, JR, Hahira, GA.
April 10, 2014

To whom it may concern:

If the route for the proposed Sabal Trail Pipeline comes through any part of Lowndes County as Chairman of the Lowndes County Commission and on the behalf of the Commission and Citizens of Lowndes County I would like to address several concerns we have with the Sabal Trail Pipeline Docket # P14-1-000.

All road crossings must obtain a Lowndes County R/W Encroachment Permit for each crossing which will include all information required by the Lowndes County Engineer.
All road crossings shall be perpendicular to the R/W.
All road crossings shall be Continue reading Sabal Trail will be expected to adhere and honor all Lowndes County Ordinances –Bill E Slaughter, JR to FERC →

Floridian LNG Export approved last November, before Sabal Trail Open Houses or FERC Scoping Meetings

April 1, 2014Alabama, Colquitt County, Economy, FE, FERC, Florida, Georgia, Gilchrist County, Law, LNG, Lowndes County, Martin CountyAES, Alabama, Economy, export, FERC, Florida, Florida Southeast Connection, FSC, Georgia, Gilchrist County, Hillabee Expansion Project, John S. Quarterman, Juno Beach, Law, LNG, Lowndes County, Martin County, Palm Beach, Riviera Beach, Sabal Trail Transmission, Spectra Energy, SpectraBusters, Transco, WilliamsJohn S. Quarterman

On 14 November 2013 the U.S. DoE’s Office of Fossil Energy approved LNG export authority for a company located next to the end of the Transco-Sabal Trail-FSC pipeline in Martin County, Florida, right where FPL is already building another pipeline to the sea. All the time since then Spectra and FERC have been saying the Sabal Trail pipeline is not for export. FERC’s whole rationale for federal eminent domain for this pipeline is that Florida needs the power. If the methane is really for export, what excuse is there for federal eminent domain?

The order’s cover page says:

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

OFFICE OF FOSSIL ENERGY

ADVANCED ENERGY SOLUTIONS. LLC ) FE DOCKET NO. I3~104-LNG

ORDER GRANTING LONG-TERM MULTI-CONTRACT
AUTHORIZATION TO EXPORT LIQUEFIED NATURAL GAS
IN ISO CONTAINERS LOADED AT THE
FLORIDIAN FACILITY IN MARTIN COUNTY, FLORIDA,
AND EXPORTED VIA OCEAN-GOING VESSEL
TO FREE TRADE AGREEMENT NATIONS
IN CENTRAL AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN

DOE/FE ORDER NO. 3360

NOVEMBER 14, 2013

Friday 15 November 2013, the next day after that LNG authorization, Continue reading Floridian LNG Export approved last November, before Sabal Trail Open Houses or FERC Scoping Meetings →

Resolution: Sabal Trail Natural Gas Pipeline –Colquitt County Board of Commissioners

March 13, 2014Agriculture, Colquitt County, Georgia, Law, SafetyAgriculture, Colquitt County, Georgia, John S. Quarterman, Law, Sabal Trail Transmission, Safety, Spectra Energy, SpectraBustersJohn S. Quarterman

This is the text of the resolution passed by the Colquitt County Board of Commissioners, and here it is in PDF. -jsq

Resolution Number 2014-R-6.

RESOLUTION
COLQUITT COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
SABAL TRAIL NATURAL GAS PIPELINE

WHEREAS, Sabal Trail Natural Gas Pipeline proposes to construct a natural gas transmission pipeline that will bisect a large portion of Colquitt County, Georgia; and,

WHEREAS, Colquitt County, Georgia is the largest agricultural production county in the State of Georgia with numerous farms and agricultural infrastructure throughout the county and in the proposed path of the Sabal Trail Natural Gas Pipeline; and,

WHEREAS, there remains many concerns among area agricultural growers regarding the depth of the pipeline in agricultural areas.

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that Continue reading Resolution: Sabal Trail Natural Gas Pipeline –Colquitt County Board of Commissioners →

Orders Denying Certificates

March 10, 2014Colquitt County, FERC, Georgia, Law, Lowndes County, Rhode Island, TexasAlgonquin Gas Transmission, certificate, Chambers County, Colquitt County, CP04-223-000, CP04-293-000, CP04-358-000, CP10-481-000, denial, FERC, Georgia, John Peconom, John S. Quarterman, Kevin Bowman, KeySpan LNG, Law, Liberty County, LNG, Lowndes County, Moultrie, permit, pipeline, Rhode Island, Sabal Trail Transmission, Spectra Energy, SpectraBusters, Texas, Turtle Bayou Gas Storage Company, ValdostaJohn S. Quarterman

Given months to find them, all FERC could come up with for orders denying certificates was for two liquid natural gas (LNG) facilities. Each did have an associated pipeline request, but neither was for a stand-alone pipeline application. I do thank John Peconom and Kevin Bowman for providing these documents. However, really, is this all there is?

I asked John Peconom of FERC for a list of denied pipeline applications at the Moultrie makeup Sabal Trail Open House 27 January 2014, and again after the Valdosta FERC Scoping Meeting 4 March 2014, and each time Peconom said he would get me a list, including the actual orders denying some pipelines. At the Moultrie FERC Scoping Meeting 5 March 2014, I pointed out to the hundred-or-so attendees that I still hadn’t gotten a list.

After the Moultrie meeting, Kevin Bowman of FERC gave me a slip of paper with this written on it:

Turtle Bayou Gas
CP10-481-000
June 2011

See separate post.

Then John Peconom of FERC sent me an email message with these two links in it: Continue reading Orders Denying Certificates →

Colquitt County passes pipeline minimum depth resolution

March 5, 2014Agriculture, Colquitt County, FERC, Georgia, LawAgriculture, Colquitt County, depth, FERC, Georgia, Law, Moultrie, Sabal Trail Transmission, Spectra Energy, SpectraBustersJohn S. Quarterman

The Colquitt County Commission demonstrated there are things local governments can do.

Alan Mauldin wrote for the Moultrie Observer 4 March 2014, County urges minimum depth for Sabal Trail pipeline,

As the largest and most diverse agricultural county in Georgia, the prospect of a 100-foot construction zone for a pipeline project raises concerns in Colquitt County.

On Tuesday, Colquitt County Commission put its thoughts on the issue of farmland as it relates to the proposed pipeline into an official statement. In a resolution, commissioners voted to request protection for farm resources, land and water, and equipment.

“The Colquitt County Board of Commissioners adamantly urge that the Sabal Trail natural gas pipeline is buried with a minimum of five feet of top cover when traversing agricultural properties to include pasture land, cultivated lands, surface drains, diversions, waterways, open ditches and streams,” the commission said in the document.

Continue reading →

Take the Pipeline Bull by the Horns: Georgia FERC Scoping Meetings

March 2, 2014Colquitt County, Dougherty County, Economy, Environment, FERC, Georgia, Hazards, Law, Lowndes County, MeetingsAlbany, Colquitt County, corrosion, Dougherty County, Economy, environment, explosion, FERC, Fracking, Georgia, Hazards, Law, leak, Lowndes County, Moultrie, Sabal Trail Transmission, Safety, Spectra Energy, SpectraBusters, ValdostaJohn S. Quarterman

PDF

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Valdosta, 2 March 2014 — SpectraBusters invites everyone to take the pipeline bull by the horns this week in Albany, Valdosta, or Moultrie, at your only chances in Georgia to testify in front of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission about Spectra Energy’s proposed Sabal Trail Transmission fracked methane pipeline. Plus SpectraBusters will hold a panel on the issues afterwards.

FERC Scoping Meetings:
This week’s calendar:
SpectraBusters Panel:
In Conjunction with:

FERC Scoping Meetings:

We hear these FERC Scoping meetings will all have the same format:

5PM Sabal Trail discussion	pipeline representatives will be present.
6PM FERC presentation	about the process.
Then citizens can speak	at the podium one by one and have what they say transcribed by a court recorder for the Commission’s administrative record.

This week’s calendar: Continue reading Take the Pipeline Bull by the Horns: Georgia FERC Scoping Meetings →

Colquitt County attorney gives up too easily

February 28, 2014Colquitt County, FERC, Georgia, LawColquitt County, Condit Project, FERC, John S. Quarterman, Law, Lester Castellow, Moultrie, PacifiCorp, Ray Saunders, SpectraBusters, WashingtonJohn S. Quarterman

Too-hasty conclusions about the Sabal Trail pipeline from the Colquitt County attorney at the 10 February 2014 Colquitt County Commission meeting.

Alan Mauldin wrote for the Moultrie Observer 10 February 2014, Sabal Trail: County can have input, but feds are in control,

County officials can’t decide which route a massive gas pipeline takes through the area or prevent its construction, but it can have an impact on safety, Colquitt County officials heard Monday.

Federal law trumps those of the state and county ordinances, so if federal officials grant a permit for a pipeline route there is little to be gained from opposing it, County Attorney Lester Castellow said.

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, FEDERAL ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION
Before Commissioners: Joseph T. Kelliher, Chairman; Nora Mead Brownell, and Suedeen G. Kelly.
PacifiCorp Project No. 2342-018
ORDER ON PETITION FOR DECLARATORY ORDER (Issued May 18, 2006):

9. However, federal preemption does not necessarily mean Continue reading Colquitt County attorney gives up too easily →

Watch Osceola County Commission live at 1:30 PM today

February 10, 2014Alabama, Colquitt County, Economy, Florida, Fracking, Georgia, Gilchrist County, Hazards, Health, Lee County, Lowndes County, Osceola County, Safety, WaterColquitt County, Economy, Florida, Fracking, Georgia, Gilchrist County, Hazards, Health, John S. Quarterman, livestream, Lowndes County, Osceola County, protest, Safety, SpectraBusters, video, WaterJohn S. Quarterman

If you can’t get to Kissimmee today, you can watch it live on the Osceola County Commission’s website. And if you can’t get to that one, the pipelines are coming up at four other county commission meetings in Georgia and Florida from today through next week.

In addition to local landowner Monica Martin, she says the local Thai temple will also speak, Wat Florida Dhammaram, Theravāda Buddhist Temple.

And that’s not all:

Noon today, Monday, 10 February 2014, Colquitt County Commission on Sabal Trail pipeline at their Work Session.
5PM tomorrow, Tuesday, 11 February 2014, Lowndes County Commission Meeting and Protest at their Regular Session.
7PM tomorrow, Tuesday, 11 February 2014, Colquitt County Commission on Sabal Trail pipeline at their Regular Session.
5PM Thursday, 20 February 2014, 3 minutes a question at Gilchrist County Commission at their Regular Session.

Even many FPL allies oppose new methane pipelines, because of water, safety, health, fracking, property values, and other issues, and even county commissions in all three directly affected states (Lee County, Alabama started way back in May 2014) are having to respond to citizen concerns about unnecessary, environmentally damaging, and property-taking methane pipelines. Let’s go straight to solar and wind power!

-jsq