On the same day, the Suwannee Democrat posted a fluff piece from a PR firm for Sabal Trail
and
actual reporting from the recent Open House in Jasper, FL
that gives some answers Sabal Trail did not.
They’re both well worth reading, the first for its absolute certainty
of safety, cleanliness, and no export, and the second for its actual
evidence of hazards, record of safety failures, and already-authorized LNG export operations.
Oh, and Ms. Grover admitting route changes (caused by objections)
blew her end-of-October filing date.
The second for opponents attempting to get answers from Sabal Trail
and having to get them from other protesters who have done the research
Sabal Trail denies can be done.
The “epitome of ignorance and greed” indeed.
Please go read. Continue reading Sabal Trail PR countered by actual information in the Suwannee Democrat
Category Archives: Hazards
Dougherty County passed a resolution against the Sabal Trail pipeline
Sabal Trail has not met its burden of proof of need, and its pipeline would be hazardous to environment and safety, resolved the Dougherty County Commission Monday. And now news media call it the “the pipeline fight” and the “controversial pipeline”. Visitors to Albany tell me people now bring up the pipeline unprompted in conversation. Last week’s very bad media week for Sabal Trail continues to get worse this week.
Franklin White, WFXL, 27 October 2014, Another step in the pipeline fight,
Continue reading Dougherty County passed a resolution against the Sabal Trail pipeline
Officials say in the past year they’ve written four letters to Sabal Trails on behalf of Dougherty County citizens and businesses.
They say after the September meeting when Sabal Trail officials came to Dougherty County to explain why they chose SWGA to build the pipeline, County Commissioners found pipeline would do more harm than good.
Dougherty County Attorney Spencer Lee says, “they found there is no need for it and it’s likely to harm the environment and our socio-economic and culture activities.”
Giant fireball from 4-inch pipeline in Gilchrist County, FL 2012-06-27
The proposed 36-inch Sabal Trail pipeline next to that old FGT line would have 81 times as much gas; maybe more, since it’s apparently also higher pressure.
Gainesville.com staff reported 27 June 2013, Ruptured gas line explodes in Gilchrist,
A high-pressure natural gas pipeline exploded into a gigantic fireball and 30-foot-high flames in Gilchrist County on Tuesday night after a tree fell and ruptured the line, authorities said.
The tree also took down a power line, which officials said likely ignited the escaping gas.
Gainesville Fire Rescue’s Haz-Mat team and district chief responded to the scene in Bell at around 6:30 p.m. to assist Gilchrist County units.
An emergency crew from the natural gas company helped the rescue units find and secure a shut-off valve for the 4-inch line. The crews stood by while the residual gas burned off.
Gainesville.com posted video from Gainesville Fire and Rescue. It’s quite impressive, and unfortunately unembeddable, so follow the link to see it.
WCBJ TV reported 27 June 2012, Gas Line Explosion Lights up Road, Continue reading Giant fireball from 4-inch pipeline in Gilchrist County, FL 2012-06-27
Sabal Trail surveyed without permission –Beth Gordon on WCBJ TV
Beth Gordon told a Gainesville, FL TV reporter 1500 feet from her home is still too close for the Sabal Trail fracked methane pipeline. And since they moved it off her property, they won’t entertain any compensation. Same for you, if a pipeline blows up in your county or state like one did in neighboring Gilchrist County, Florida in 2012: you get no compensation, but your taxes may have to pay for emergency responders, hospitals, etc.
Jesse Pagan reported Wednesday 22 October 2014 for WCJB TV, Natural Gas Pipeline Concerns, Levy County,
“It would destroy the whole way of life here in Levy County.”
“I never gave them permission, yet I came home one day and they’d cut into my locked gate. I don’t know how they did it. I think they climbed over my fence. There were surveyor stakes all over my property.
First they wanted to put it on my property. Now they’ve moved it onto the farm next door.
The reporter said that’s about 1500 feet from her property, “Too close for her comfort.”
“And because the property isn’t physically right on our property, they will not entertain payment for it.
The reporter mentioned her petition to the Florida Public Service Commission (FL-PSC) Continue reading Sabal Trail surveyed without permission –Beth Gordon on WCBJ TV
Sabal Trail on Dirty Dozen and Flint River
Second day in a row,
the Albany Herald covered
the Sabal Trail fracked methane pipeline making the Georgia
Water Coalition Dirty Dozen list.
The Flint River would be affected just like the Withlacoochee River,
and in Florida the Suwannee River and the Santa Fe River are in the same
karst limestone that contains our drinking water in south Georgia and
Florida in the Floridan Aquifer.
These newspaper articles follow two previous Albany ones, a couple of
Valdosta ones, and local, state, and national TV and newspaper coverage
of protests and opposition to Spectra’s hazardous boondoggle.
Sabal Trail’s terrible, horrible, no good, very bad PR week continues….
Jennifer Parks, Albany Herald, 22 October 2014, Proposed gas pipeline, Flint make Dirty Dozen list: Textile manufacturer pollution, state water policy issues cited as problems for Flint River, Continue reading Sabal Trail on Dirty Dozen and Flint River
Major fire at Didcot natural gas plant in Oxfordshire, England
Usually it’s pipelines that explode, but 20 firetrucks rushed to a methane power plant in Didcot, Oxon, tonight. Somebody remind me: why are we building more of these when solar power is cheaper, faster, cleaner, and never leaks or explodes?
BBC 19 October 2014, Major fire at gas-fired Didcot B power station, Continue reading Major fire at Didcot natural gas plant in Oxfordshire, England
Sabal Trail to TECO to Jaxport for LNG export?
Marcellus Shale fracked methane through Atlantic Sunrise to Transco to Sabal Trail to TECO to Jaxport for LNG export?
And maybe an explanation for why Sempra Energy, like Spectra Energy,
donated to both GA Gov. Nathan Deal’s and AL Gov. Robert Bentley’s
re-election campaigns.
Sempra apparently wants to export Marcellus Shale gas from Jacksonville,
and Sabal Trail is the proposed conduit for that through Alabama and Georgia
to Florida.
John Burr wrote for Jacksonville Business Journal 10 March 2014, TECO Peoples Gas looks to expand natural gas pipeline to Jacksonville, Continue reading Sabal Trail to TECO to Jaxport for LNG export?
Sabal Trail Notice of EIS Intent and Route Alternatives
A FERC comment period ending 15 November 2014 seems to mean
Sabal Trail will miss its 31 October formal filing date.
No relief suggested for crossing the Withlacoochee River at the border
of Brooks and Lowndes Counties, Georgia (or inside Lowndes County
next to Valdosta, according to
several of the previous alternatives).
And every proposed path still crosses the Suwannee River
into Suwannee County.
Maybe that’s because the Dougherty County Commission and the Albany City Council actually stood up for their citizens, as did Gilchrist County (see Wacassassa Flats Alternative), while the Suwannee County Commission swallowed Sabal Trail disinformation and the Lowndes County Commission and the Valdosta City Council did little (except one letter from the Chairman) or nothing (except one letter from one Council member).
There’s still time for Dougherty, Lowndes, and all the other
counties and cities
to pass ordinances, and to lobby state and federal agencies and
elected and appointed officials.
Oh, and there’s an election going on.
Also no mention of Sabal Trail’s Jasper, Florida Open House, 5-7:30 Tuesday 21 October 2014, but STT’s newspaper notice said the public is invited, so y’all come!
Filed with FERC today, 15 October 2014, Supplemental Notice of Intent to Prepare an Environment Impact Statement for the Planned Southeast Market Pipeline Project and Request for Comments on Environmental Issues etc. re Sabal Trail Transmission, LLC under PF14-1.
-jsq
Docket No. PF14-1-000
Continue reading Sabal Trail Notice of EIS Intent and Route Alternatives
Panhandle Eastern Pipe Line explosion, Centerview, MO 2014-10-13
A third explosion in Missouri on Panhandle Eastern’s 200 Line in six years. Panhandle is the parent company of Florida Gas Transmission (FGT), famous for throwing a pipe across the Florida Turnpike in 2009, near a high school.
Chris Oberholtz wrote for KCTV5.com 13 October 2014, Emergency crews respond to pipeline rupture, fire near Centerview,
JOHNSON COUNTY, MO (KCTV) – Emergency crews are on the scene of a pipeline rupture and fire near Centerview, MO.
The location is Northwest 701 Road and Northwest Division Road. This is a rural area with no homes threatened.
Sandi Wilsom wrote for KMZU 100.7 FM 13 October 2014, Update: Report of Gas Pipe Explosion in Centerview, MO, Continue reading Panhandle Eastern Pipe Line explosion, Centerview, MO 2014-10-13
300-foot fireball near Hughesville, MO, Panhandle Eastern Pipeline 2013-11-29
A 30-inch pipeline explosion was visible 30 miles away.
The 36-inch Sabal Trail pipeline would carry 44% more fracked methane
than that Panhandle Eastern Pipeline Company Line 400,
and could be even more destructive.
“The most intense, scared feeling I’ve ever felt in my life,”
said one witness.
Troy Diggs and Michelle Pekarsky reported for fox4kc.com 29 November 2013, Pipeline explosion sends fireball 300 feet into air, Continue reading 300-foot fireball near Hughesville, MO, Panhandle Eastern Pipeline 2013-11-29