Category Archives: Hazards

Pilot Grove, MO PEPL explosion 2008-08-25

October 14, 2014Cooper County, Corrosion, Explosion, Hazards, Missouri, PHMSA200 Line, Cooper County, corrosion, explosion, Hazards, John S. Quarterman, Missouri, Panhandle Eastern Pipe Line, PEPL, PHMSA, Pilot Grove, SpectraBustersJohn S. Quarterman

Not in a High Consequence Area (HCA)? Then a pipeline explosion may not even rate pictures on the news, even if your house or field or forest or river is what explodes. That’s what happened near Pilot Grove, Missouri 25 August 2008 on the Panhandle Eastern Pipeline 200 Line.

PHMSA, the so-called Pipeline and Hazardous Materials and Safety Administration, doesn’t actually know when the “impressed curent cathodic protection system” was energized, and doesn’t have the results of the last hydrostatic test, which was in 1955, 53 years before the pipeline corroded until it exploded. PHMSA’s Administrator just resigned, after continuing to let pipeline companies set the very definitions of accidents. Do you want to trust your air, water, property values, or safety to such an industry or such an agency?

Dennis Rich reported for the Sedalia Democrat 29 November 2013, Pipeline explodes near Hughesville,

Another Panhandle Eastern pipeline in the area ruptured on Aug. 25, 2008, near Pilot Grove in Cooper County and caused $1,046,359 in damages, according to a company pipeline failure investigation report.

Actually, it was Continue reading Pilot Grove, MO PEPL explosion 2008-08-25 →

Suwannee County Commission swallows Sabal Trail misinformation

October 13, 2014Florida, Hazards, Law, Leak, LNG, Pennsylvania, Suwannee CountyClyde Flemming, Debra Johnson, Florida, FPL, Jason Bashaw, John S. Quarterman, Live Oak, Phil Oxendine, Ricky Gamble, Sabal Trail Transmission, Spectra Energy, SpectraBusters, Suwannee County, Wesley WainwrightJohn S. Quarterman

After FPL visited it, the Suwannee County Commission decided they couldn’t do anything; nevermind that pipeline and fracking ordinances have worked in Pennsylvania and New York state, and there’s no reason to believe they wouldn’t in Florida. There’s still time for the Commissioners to stand up for the citizens of Suwannee County, Florida.

John S. Koch wrote for Suwannee Valley Times 8 October 2014, Sable Trail – Suwannee Commissioners say gas pipeline needed

The commission chairman noted that they have a copy of the resolution passed recently by the Hamilton County Commission addressing the issue as well as all the information about the Sable Trails Project released by the company handling the project. However, the board has taken no action one way or the other.

The key phrase in there seems to be “all the information about the Sable Trails Project released by the company handling the project”. Perhaps the Commission would like to dig a little deeper than information produced by the one company with the most vested interest in saying the pipeline is a great thing. This would be the same Chairman who denied his previous on-video Sabal Trail comments after he heard from FPL.

Phil Oxendine has a problem with the pipeline but not for safety concerns but rather political reasons. “We are overseas right now and that reason is because of our need for oil and the sooner we get away from that use the better we all will be.” Oxendine also feels it is not in the best interest of the country to export the gas but that is an entirely different issue he said.

Nevermind the Continue reading Suwannee County Commission swallows Sabal Trail misinformation →

Sabal Trail opposition gets national media attention

October 12, 2014Alabama, Dougherty County, Economy, Environment, Florida, Georgia, Hazards, LawAlabama, Associated Press, Dougherty County, Economy, environment, Florida, Florida Southeast Connection, FPL, Georgia, Hazards, John S. Quarterman, Law, NextEra Energy, Ray Henry, Sabal Trail Transmission, Spectra Energy, SpectraBustersJohn S. Quarterman

The AP finally picked up on opposition, newspapers and TV stations from San Francisco to Washington, DC and from Utah and Chicago to Miami picked up the AP story that same day, including Spectra Energy’s home town of Houston, Texas, plus Canada and New Zealand, followed by the Valdosta Daily Times today, for at least 27 stories total.

Ray Henry wrote for AP Saturday 11 October 2014, New $3.7B gas line proposed for Ala., Ga., Fla.,

ATLANTA (AP)—A proposal to build a $3.7 billion pipeline system carrying natural gas into Florida is raising complaints from Georgia residents—including media mogul Ted Turner—who say they’d face environmental costs while others get the benefits.

He quoted Gloria Gaines of Albany. He also mentioned Duke’s proposed Citrus County plant without mentioning that Duke has repeatedly said it doesn’t need Sabal Trail. And he didn’t mention LNG export. But he did list quite a few opponents, and he included this:

NextEra, Spectra or their related political committees have donated several thousand dollars to politicians, including Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley and Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal.

Picking up the AP story that same day were: Continue reading Sabal Trail opposition gets national media attention →

It don’t pass the smell test: FPL’s extra natural gas pipeline –SpectraBusters

October 9, 2014Alabama, EPA, FE, FERC, Florida, Fracking, Georgia, Hazards, LNGAlabama, British Columbia, Duke Energy, eminent domain, EPA, FE, FERC, Florida, Florida Southeast Connection, FPL, Fracking, FSC, Georgia, Greg Ebel, Hazards, John S. Quarterman, LNG, NextEra Energy, ordinance, Oregon, Paula Gant, permit, public benefit, Sabal Trail Transmission, Spectra Energy, SpectraBusters, Tony Clark, Transco, Washington, Williams CompanyJohn S. Quarterman

FPL wants federal eminent domain to gouge a hundred-foot right of way for a yard-wide fracked methane pipeline through Alabama, Georgia, and Florida, claiming Florida needs new power. That don’t pass the smell test.
http://spectrabusters.org/2014/09/14/we-grow-increasingly-concerned-dougherty-county-commission-to-ferc/

Nationwide electricity demand continues to decline, as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reminded the pipeline-permitting Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) in April. EPA asked FPL why it couldn’t implement conservation, efficiency, compressed gas storage, or other energy sources. http://spectrabusters.org/2014/04/23/explain-why-the-gas-is-needed-epa-to-ferc/#decreasing-electricity-sales

FPL projected 13% electricity demand increase in its 2014 ten-year plan to the Florida Public Service Commission (FL PSC). A third pipeline would be a 50% increase. Why? http://spectrabusters.org/2014/04/24/fpls-own-projections-dont-support-need-for-a-new-pipeline/

Sabal Trail, the pipeline joint venture of FPL and Spectra Energy of Houston, claims Duke Energy needs Continue reading It don’t pass the smell test: FPL’s extra natural gas pipeline –SpectraBusters →

Fracked gas through Sabal Trail to Japan

October 7, 2014Alabama, Economy, Florida, Fracking, Georgia, LNG, Maryland, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, West VirginiaAlabama, Atlantic Sunrise, Cove Point, Economy, Florida, Fracking, Georgia, John S. Quarterman, LNG, LNG export, Maryland, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Sabal Trail Transmission, Spectra Energy, SpectraBusters, Utica Shale, West VirginiaJohn S. Quarterman

New pipelines are to push fracked methane to export for profit, as fossil fuel industry analysts spell out, specifically describing a path from fracking through Williams’ Atlantic Sunrise and Transco pipelines and Spectra and NextEra’s Sabal Trail pipeline, and then naming Cove Point LNG export.

Chris Pedersen wrote for OilPrice.com 5 October 2014, Utica Boosts U.S. Natural Gas Production To Record Levels,

To find a market for both Marcellus and Utica gas production, existing pipelines are finding creative ways to move growing sources of gas, while new pipelines are proposed to take larger quantities of gas from large interstate pipelines such as the TRANSCO line. Williams’ new “Atlantic Sunrise” pipeline will connect Marcellus and Utica gas from its TRANSCO line. Sabal Trail LLC, a JV of Spectra and NextEra Energy have proposed to build the “Sabal Trail” pipeline, which would connect with TRANSCO. With the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s recent approval of the Cove Point LNG plant, it is not farfetched to imagine India or Japan producing electricity from Utica gas by the end of the decade.

Sure, that paragraph doesn’t say Continue reading Fracked gas through Sabal Trail to Japan →

Video: Gloria Gaines took down Spectra in Albany

October 4, 2014Dougherty County, FERC, Georgia, HazardsAlbany, Dougherty County, environmental justice, FERC, Georgia, Gloria Gaines, Hazards, John S. Quarterman, Nathan Deal, Sabal Trail Transmission, Spectra Energy, SpectraBustersJohn S. Quarterman

Gloria Gaines dissected Spectra’s compressor station and pipeline haunting Dougherty County, Georgia in this video:

I don’t buy her argument for “land in remote areas”. Reclusive rural landowners don’t want that fracked methane hazard, either. And she needs to stop pushing biomass. She also said she expects Gov. Nathan Deal to help; maybe she hadn’t heard about Continue reading Video: Gloria Gaines took down Spectra in Albany →

We just do not want it! –Mary Rehberg to FERC

September 30, 2014Compressor, Dougherty County, Economy, Explosion, FERC, Georgia, Hazards, Leak, NoiseAlbany, compressor, Dougherty County, Economy, explosion, FERC, Georgia, Hazards, leak, Mary Rehberg, noise, SpectraBustersJohn S. Quarterman

Filed with FERC 30 September 2014:

Mary Rehberg, Albany, GA.

Albany and Dougherty County do not want, need or benefit in any way by this pipeline. These pipelines have been known to leak and to blow up. The pumping station needs jet turbines to pump the gas and the noise level will be horrific to anyone living near it. It should not be anywhere near any homes or businesses. We get all the risk and none of the benefit. We just do not want it!

How to comment with FERC.

Four hours of overwhelming public opposition shrugged off by Sabal Trail and FERC in Albany, GA

September 30, 2014Compressor, Dougherty County, Ethics, FERC, Georgia, Hazards, LawAGAST, Albany, Albany Georgia Against Sabal Trail, Andrea Grover, compressor, Dinorah Hall, Dougherty County, Ed Gonzalez, Environment Safety, Ethics, FERC, Gary Hall, Georgia, Gloria Gaines, Hazards, John Peconom, John S. Quarterman, Law, Sabal Trail Transmission, SpectraBustersJohn S. Quarterman

FERC’s reps said their five Commissioners would decide in about a year, and Sabal Trail said they’d tune details and “educate the public” about the alleged “need” and “jobs” and “environmental safety” of their yard-wide fracked methane pipeline gouged through a hundred-foot right of way plus a compressor station. The public wasn’t having any of that in Albany, Georgia yesterday.

Update 30 Sep 2014: But that very same day, FERC rubberstamped Cove Point LNG in Maryland after “more than 140 speakers at three public meetings related to the Environmental Assessment and received more than 650 comments”, and that’s what we’re going to get with Sabal Trail, unless our elected and appointed officials go beyond talk and pass binding ordinances, deny permits, and countersue.

Franklin White for WFXL 29 Sep 2014, Public information meeting held for proposed pipeline.
Aaryn Valenzuela for WALB 29 Sep 2014, Citizens brave rain for pipeline meeting
Carlton Fletcher wrote for the Albany Herald 29 September 2014, Public forum offers Dougherty County community opportunity to discuss pipeline: Federal, state officials on hand for public discussion of proposed pipeline, Continue reading Four hours of overwhelming public opposition shrugged off by Sabal Trail and FERC in Albany, GA →

Protect our community from Sabal Trail –Beacon Baptist Church to Albany Mayor Hubbard

September 29, 2014California, Compressor, Dougherty County, Explosion, Kanawha County, Manitoba, Oklahoma, San Mateo County, West VirginiaAlbany, Beacon Baptist Church, California, Canada, compressor, Dorothy Hubbard, Dougherty County, explosion, John S. Quarterman, Jon Gosa, Kanawha County, Manitoba, Oklahoma, Otterburg, Rosston, Sabal Trail Transmission, San Bruno, San Mateo County, Spectra Energy, SpectraBusters, West Virginia, WinnipegJohn S. Quarterman

Received today. I added the links and illustrations and a few [notes]. -jsq

Copy of Letter sent to Albany Mayor Hubbard on behalf of Beacon Baptist Church opposing pipeline: Hello Mayor Hubbard,

I am writing to you on behalf of Beacon Baptist Church located at 5818 Newton Rd., Albany Ga. directly across from the proposed site for the Sabal Trail/Spectra Energy compressor station and pipeline route. We are asking you, as the Mayor of Albany, to take action in protecting our community by opposing the Sabal Trail/Spectra Energy pipeline. We have contacted County Commissioners and reached out to your office on several occasions about this issue. We have done extensive research compiling a list of some 6095 people across the US that have been negatively affected by Sabal Trail/Spectra Energy and other related pipelines. We have cited the numerous safety violations of Sabal Trail/Spectra Energy and the enormous fines that have been levied against them. It is our deep concern that after 51 years at our current location, Continue reading Protect our community from Sabal Trail –Beacon Baptist Church to Albany Mayor Hubbard →

Spectra haunting Albany, GA 10AM Monday 29 Sep 2014

September 28, 2014Dougherty County, EPA, Fracking, GeorgiaDougherty County, EPA, Fracking, Georgia, Government, John S. Quarterman, Nathan Deal, Sabal Trail Transmission, Spectra Energy, SpectraBustersJohn S. Quarterman

Anybody want to ask Spectra what they expected from Gov. Deal when they contributed $10,000 to his campaign?

There’s a facebook event:

222 Pine Ave, Albany, GA 31701
Our local government officials have listened to our outcry and organized a public meeting featuring but not limited to Spectra, EPA and Gov Deal reps. Please join us, lets show them we are a UNITED Dougherty county!!

Carlton Fletcher wrote for the Albany Herald 24 September 2014, Albany’s Jon Howard, Dougherty County’s John Hayes host pipeline meetings: Officials’ community meetings are called to inform public about proposed natural gas pipeline,

The Dougherty County and Albany City commissions will hold a joint meeting Monday at 10 a.m. to discuss the pipeline. Federal and state officials, as well as representatives of Spectra Energy, which is building the pipeline, are expected to attend.

Who’s holding the meetings: Continue reading Spectra haunting Albany, GA 10AM Monday 29 Sep 2014 →