Category Archives: Georgia

Sabal Trail is a reckless proposal –GA State Senator Sims to FERC

Sabal Trail targets those most vulnerable, the “elderly, disabled and without monetary or political means to “fight” such an environmentally intrusive plan.”

Filed with FERC 23 October 2015 as Accession Number 20151023-5278, “Comment of Senator Freddie Powell Sims under CP15-17”:

FREDDIE POWELL SIMS
District 12
110-A State Capitol
Atlanta. Georgia 30334
Phone: (404) 463-5259
Fax: (404) 463-2279
Email: Freddie.Sims@senate.ga.gov

COMMITTEES:

Interstate Cooperation, Vice-Chairman
Education and Youth, Secretary
Appropriations
Finance
Natural Resources and the Environment

The State Senate

Atlanta, Georgia 30334

October 20, 2015

Letter to FERC Kimberly D. Bose
Secretary
Federal Energy Regulation Commission
888 First Street, N.E.
Washingtun, DC 20426

Dear Ms. Bose:

As State Senator for District 12 in the State of Georgia, I write this letter in opposition to the proposed Sabal Pipeline location in the populous area of Dougherty County / Albany, Georgia. The Sabal Pipeline proposed location is a “reckless” proposal that negates the health and safety of current and future residents of Dougherty County / Albany, Georgia. Many of the residents Continue reading Sabal Trail is a reckless proposal –GA State Senator Sims to FERC

Four Congress members demand Sabal Trail move off of Albany, GA

Writing directly to the FERC Commissioners, these representatives stand up for the people against pipeline company greed.

For immediate release: Friday, October 23, 2015
Contact: Max Gigle, 202-225-3631

PROPOSED SABAL TRAIL RAISES ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE, HEALTH CONCERNS
CONGRESSMAN BISHOP AND GEORGIA HOUSE DEMOCRATS DEMAND ALTERNATIVES

To the FERC Commissioners ALBANY, GA — Today, Congressman Sanford D. Bishop Jr. (GA-02) spearheaded a letter with Congressmen John Lewis (GA-05), Henry ‘Hank’ Johnson Jr. (GA-04), and David Scott (GA-13) to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) raising concerns regarding Sabal Trail’s application for a certificate of public convenience and necessity to construct a 516-mile-long, 36-inch-diameter natural gas pipeline through Alabama, Georgia, and Florida. The letter especially cites the proposed location of the pipeline and an accompanying compressor station in Albany, Georgia, which is located in Dougherty County. The proposed location raises serious environmental justice issues that have not been fully addressed by FERC in its Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the project.

Congressman Bishop, as well as Representatives Lewis, Scott, and Johnson, are members of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC), which has highlighted issues of environmental justice. The Environmental Protection Agency defines environmental justice as, Continue reading Four Congress members demand Sabal Trail move off of Albany, GA

Public Hearing, Air Quality, Sabal Trail Albany Compressor –GA-EPD 2015-11-05

6:30 PM 5 November 2015 at Albany Technical College. Here’s the EPD Press Release:

Georgia Department of Natural Resources
Environmental Protection Division Air Protection Branch
4244 International Parkway Suite 120 Atlanta Georgia 30354
404/363-7000 • Fax: 404/363-7100
Judson H. Turner, Director

Notice For Immediate Release Contact: Thomas Smith — 404-362-2790

EPD to Host Q&A Session and Public Hearing in Albany
on Sabal Trail Air Quality Permit Application

(ATLANTA — October 21, 2015) — The Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) will host a forum on Thursday, Nov. 5 Continue reading Public Hearing, Air Quality, Sabal Trail Albany Compressor –GA-EPD 2015-11-05

Sabal Trail not on GA State Properties Commission Agenda

The Georgia State Properties Commission agenda for Wednesday has nothing Notice on it about Sabal Trail or easements under Georgia rivers. So the river land giveaway by the GA DNR board last month will not be confirmed this month. So there’s more time to contact the SPC board to stop Sabal Trail from crossing the Withlacoochee River, Okapilco Creek, Ochlockonee River, Flint River, and Chattahoochee River.

SPC doesn’t provide any contacts for their board members, but here are their main contacts:

270 Washington Street, Suite 2-129
Atlanta, Georgia 30334
www.howsmyservice.spc.ga.gov

Steve Stancil, State Property Officer, 404-656-3253
Marvin Woodward, Deputy State Property Officer, 404-463-5608
Frank Smith, Deputy Executive Director, 404-656-5602

And we know how to reach the governor’s office: (404) 656-1776.

Somebody should go Continue reading Sabal Trail not on GA State Properties Commission Agenda

Videos: Citizens against Sabal “Sinkhole” Trail pipeline to FERC in Albany, Moultrie, Valdosta, and Lake City

Citizens renamed Sabal Trail the Sinkhole Pipeline because it doesn’t belong in the sinkhole-prone karst limestone of the Floridan Aquifer. FERC can’t say they weren’t told, since videographers followed them through all four cities so far; see for yourself.

Albany, Monday 28 September 2015, videos by Thomas Swain

Moultrie, Tuesday 29 September 2015, videos by Lowndes Area Knowledge Exchange (LAKE)

“You tell us you’re sorry and it happens again”, said Continue reading Videos: Citizens against Sabal “Sinkhole” Trail pipeline to FERC in Albany, Moultrie, Valdosta, and Lake City

Citizens oppose Sabal Trail in Albany, Moultrie, and Valdosta this week –WTOC, Albany, GA

Property rights, environment, health, and safety are why citizens oppose Sabal Trail, including tonight in Albany or Tuesday in Moultrie or Wednesday in Valdosta. Be sure to show up by 5:30 PM to sign up to speak.

Caitlyn Chastain, WTOC, 28 September 2015, Public meetings ahead for Sabal Trail Pipeline, starting today,

It’s a project that has gained a lot of attention and a lot of criticism.

Many people are concerned Continue reading Citizens oppose Sabal Trail in Albany, Moultrie, and Valdosta this week –WTOC, Albany, GA

Oppose Sabal Trail at FERC Albany, GA 2015-09-28

Rally against pipeline and compressor station September 28th, Monday 430pm at Albany Civic Center, sign up to speak at FERC hearing at 530pm, speak at FERC hearing starting at 6pm.

Please remember that scientific studies show that within one mile of a gas compressor station in New York, which is 1/4 the size of the one planned for Albany (meaning it will impact people within a 4 miles radius) , the following impacts on health were recorded:

  1. asthma, nosebleeds, headaches, and rashes
  2. elevated levels of formaldehyde, a carcinogen
  3. increased mortality rate of persons over 65
  4. double the risk of autism in expectant mothers in the third trimester

Some people think Continue reading Oppose Sabal Trail at FERC Albany, GA 2015-09-28

LTE opposing GA-DNR giving away easements to Sabal Trail –FrK, WWALS, GA Sierra Club

And you can contact other GA-DNR board members, send them comments, or go to the meeting Wednesday morning 9AM in Atlanta. -jsq

Jeff Sinyard represents southwest Georgia on the Board of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. He is our voice on that very important and powerful Board.

Sabal Trail Pipeline needs easements granted by the DNR Board to pass under key southwest and south-central Georgia rivers and creeks. Elsewhere in Georgia, over to the east and on the coast, Governor Deal’s DOT recently blocked the use of eminent domain for a gas and diesel pipeline. The Governor Continue reading LTE opposing GA-DNR giving away easements to Sabal Trail –FrK, WWALS, GA Sierra Club

Call DNR board before Wednesday to stop river land giveaway to Sabal Trail

Leases and permanent easements to cross the Chattahoochee River, Flint River, Ochlockonee River, and Withlacoochee River: that’s what the Georgia Department of Natural Resources Board proposes to vote on this Wednesday morning, in Atlanta, far from any of the proposed crossings or the directly affected counties, with no publ ic hearing and minimal public announcement. You can call them or send them email to ask them not to do that. Or show up in Atlanta 9AM Wednesday 23 September 2015 and speak; bring a written statement if you do that. Atlanta metro people, we need you to go to that meeting!

Agenda at this link. DNR board list at this link. DNR didn’t supply any contact information for its board members, but DNR’s own contact is: Continue reading Call DNR board before Wednesday to stop river land giveaway to Sabal Trail

Kinder Morgan bolts from emergency planning meeting in Savannah

The world’s largest pipeline company ran away from a hint of public scrutiny, like FERC changed its commission meeting date to try to avoid protesters. Maybe… public opinion matters?

The pipeline companies are watching all the opposition. And the opposition is shadowing all the pipeline companies. Score one for the opposition! Plus plenty of opportunities coming up for more concerted opposition against any new fossil fuel tentacles through our countryside or under our rivers.

Mary Landers, Savannah Morning News, 16 September 2015, Kinder Morgan cancels ‘spotlight’ on Elba operations, Continue reading Kinder Morgan bolts from emergency planning meeting in Savannah