Tag Archives: Economy

Corporate power comes home –Jim Parker

March 13, 2014Economy, Georgia, Law, Lowndes County, SafetyBill Slaughter, citizens, corporation, Economy, Georgia, Government, John S. Quarterman, Law, Lowndes County, Michael G. Noll, property rights, Sabal Trail Transmission, Safety, Spectra Energy, SpectraBustersJohn S. Quarterman

Letter to the Editor in the Valdosta Daily Times yesterday. -jsq

How is it that one foreign corporation, that has just come into existence to do this project, can have greater power than all of the thousands of citizens affected, and their elected governments?
No, I’m not talking about the Keystone XL pipeline, but he issues are the same. This one wants to run a 36-inch gas pipeline through a number of states and counties, including Lowndes, affecting thousands of landowners. It’s known as Sabal Trail Transmission, LLC, and is the unholy offspring of Spectra Energy Corp. and NextEra Energy.
How can one foreign corporation (they’re from out of state), have so much power vis-avis the thousands of landowners and citizens of Lowndes County, that the citizens must give up Continue reading Corporate power comes home –Jim Parker →

Spectra CEO Greg Ebel excuses for lack of methane pipeline delivery

March 12, 2014Economy, Florida, Solar, TexasEconomy, export, Florida, FPL, Greg Ebel, John S. Quarterman, LNG, methane, price, Sabal Trail Transmission, solar, Spectra Energy, SpectraBusters, TexasJohn S. Quarterman

How does Spectra’s northern cold snap excuse for fracked gas apply to Florida, the target for the Sabal Trail, Hillabee, and Florida Southeast Connection methane pipelines? And if Spectra CEO Greg Ebel gets his wish to export gas, which T. Boone Pickens already explained will drive up domestic prices, how will higher gas prices help northern cities? Maybe Spectra’s pipelines aren’t for warming up cold houses; maybe they’re for corporate profit at the expense of landowners, taxpayers, ratepayers, and all those “natural” gas bus riders who will be surprised when their fares go up. Maybe we should stop the Sabal Trail pipeline and see if the fracking house of cards falls apart.

Jonathan Fahey wrote for AP 10 March 2014, Natural gas industry struggles to keep promises,

There’s plenty of natural gas in the ground, everyone seems to agree. But the harsh weather this winter shows there are obstacles to producing it, and more pipelines have to be built.

The bitter temperatures boosted demand for natural gas to heat homes and businesses. But wells in some places literally froze, making it difficult for some drillers to keep gas flowing. And the high demand clogged pipelines, so even when there was enough production, the gas couldn’t get where it needed to go.

Shortages cropped up, and prices in some places soared to record levels. Californians and Texans were asked to reduce their power consumption because utilities were running low on gas to run power plants. Montana State University in Billings had to cancel classes for a day because of a natural gas shortage.

Jim Fuquay amplified that chilly northern point for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram 11 March 2014:

Prices in New England briefly spiked to record levels. Californians were asked to reduce their power consumption because utilities were running low on gas to run power plants.

If the problem is cold weather in the north, why does Spectra want to build a pipeline to sunny Florida?

Curiously, the Star-Telegram omitted this point from the AP story; I’ve emphasized the redacted point: Continue reading Spectra CEO Greg Ebel excuses for lack of methane pipeline delivery →

No Fracked Gas in Mass. allies with SpectraBusters

March 11, 2014Agriculture, Economy, Environment, Explosion, Fracking, Leak, Massachusetts, Safety, Solar, Trees, WaterAgriculture, Economy, environment, explosion, Fracking, John S. Quarterman, Kinder Morgan, leak, Massachusetts, No Fracked Gas in Mass, Sabal Trail Transmission, Safety, solar, SpectraBusters, Tennessee Gas Pipeline Company, TGP, Trees, WaterJohn S. Quarterman

Another new ally added to the Allies page; today it’s No Fracked Gas in Mass., who bring us excellent tips on getting a resolution your local elected government’s agenda.

“Fighting Kinder Morgan/TGP’s Northeast Expansion across the Berkshires and Northern Massachusetts. Our mission is to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and to create a comprehensive renewable energy infrastructure.”

They have an excellent post about getting resolutions on your town meeting agenda:

If you are thinking about bringing a non-binding resolution before your town meeting, time is running out. Each town has its own deadline for adding items to town meeting’s agenda and its own requirements for resolutions — in Cummington, we needed to gather just fifteen signatures and submit them to our town clerk for verification. Ask your select board members or your town clerk what the deadline is, and what the requirements are, for your town.

You can download the Cummington resolution to use as a model (here is a .txt version); if you are wondering what the point of a non-binding resolution is, please read this.

In Massachusetts select board members are what many other places call city council members. And many towns in Mass. make it easy for citizens to get resolutions on their agendas. Why should it be more difficult anywhere else? You can contact your Continue reading No Fracked Gas in Mass. allies with SpectraBusters →

Natural gas highway proposed in the springs heartland –Merrillee Malwitz-Jipson

March 8, 2014Alabama, Economy, Environment, Florida, Fracking, Georgia, Gilchrist County, Hamilton County, Suwannee County, WaterAlabama, Columbia County, Economy, environment, Florida, Floridan Aquifer, Fracking, Georgia, Gilchrist County, Ichetucknee Alliance, Ichetucknee River, John S. Quarterman, Merrillee Malwitz-Jipson, NextEra Energy, Our Santa Fe River, Sabal Trail Transmission, Santa Fe River, Spectra Energy, SpectraBusters, springs, Suwannee County, WaterJohn S. Quarterman

Merrillee did it, and so can you: write a letter to your local newspaper, or to a state or national one, for that matter.

In the Suwannee Democrat Thursday and a longer version in the Gainesville Sun today, Merrillee Malwitz-Jipson: Natural gas highway proposed in the springs heartland -jsq.

The springs have been taking a beating in our recent history and now they are poised to brace for another blow. Spectra Energy Corp. and NextEra Energy Inc. have teamed up to build a $3 billion gas highway that will connect an Alabama natural gas bulk transfer station, cut through Georgia and bisect Florida’s springs heartland.

It would extend down to Orlando, where the gas will be dispersed into two more pipelines, ultimately benefiting Florida Power and Light. The two corporations have created Sabal Trails LLC for the surveying and construction team. Spectra Energy Corp. constructs pipelines and created Sabal Trails to get the job done, while Florida Power and Light wants the gas and is a subsidiary of the electricity supplier NextEra Energy Inc.

The Florida citing commission has ruled to allow NextEra and Spectra the right to survey and build another gas transmission pipeline through Florida’s vulnerable landscape. Land impacts will be plentiful; protected animal and plant species will have to suffer Continue reading Natural gas highway proposed in the springs heartland –Merrillee Malwitz-Jipson →

Sabal Trail same old at Albany FERC Scoping Meeting

March 8, 2014Agriculture, Dougherty County, Economy, FERC, Georgia, Hazards, WaterAgriculture, Agrriculture, Albany, Andrea Grover, Dougherty County, Economy, Explosions, FERC, Georgia, Hazards, John Peconom, John S. Quarterman, Sabal Trail Transmission, Spectra Energy, SpectraBusters, WALB, WaterJohn S. Quarterman

Spectra is claiming to have learned lessons from their safety record they previously repeatedly claimed they were not familiar with.

Josh Rhoden reported for WALB 3 and 4 March 2014, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission holds pipeline hearing,

Guenevere Perry and her mother Dianne came out to Monday night’s meeting, they’re worried about the effect the pipeline may have on their property value.

“Some of the concerns that would be more imminent to citizens in the area would be property value,” said Guenevere Perry.

Critics say Spectra energy, one of the companies involved in the project, has had three major explosions in Oklahoma, Canada, and Nebraska. But Andrea Grover with the Sabal Trail Project insists spectra has a good track record.

“Spectra energy really has a good safety record, we have the best in the industry, we take a lot of lessons learned and apply them to our programs,” said Andrea Grover, Sabal Trail Transmission.

So now she’s familiar with Spectra’s safety record after for months she wasn’t? When did Spectra learn all these lessons, and when Continue reading Sabal Trail same old at Albany FERC Scoping Meeting →

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 →

Pipeline Reader: Who, what, when, where, how, and why not the Sabal Trail methane pipeline

March 2, 2014Alabama, Corrosion, Economy, Environment, Explosion, FERC, Florida, Fracking, Georgia, Hazards, Health, Law, Leak, Noise, Safety, Solar, Water, West Virginiacorrosion, Danielle Jordan, Economy, environment, explosion, FERC, Fracking, Hazards, Health, History, Law, leak, methane, natural gas, Sabal Trail Transmission, Safety, solar, Spectra Energy, SpectraBusters, Water, West VirginiaJohn S. Quarterman

Here’s PDF of a reader for county commissions and others who need to get up to speed on the pipeline. Feel free to add local material for your county commission or city council.

This pipeline reader contains:

About the Pipeline
Sabal Trail Pipeline Context maps —Spectra Energy and FPL — Lowndes Area Knowledge Exchange www.l-a-k-e.org
Natural Gas Pipelines — www.foodandwaterwatch.org
Spectra Safety Violations — www.spectrabusters.org
Facts on Fracking — Wiregrass Activists for Clean Energy (WACE) www.wiregrassace.org/
Local Governments Can Restrict Pipelines — www.spectrabusters.org
WV Polluter Files Bankruptcy — www.spectrabusters.org
Stranded Fossil Fuel Assets — www.spectrabusters.org
Solar Jobs — Lowndes Area Knowledge Exchange www.l-a-k-e.org
How to File a Comment with FERC

Continue reading →

No fracking insurance: how long until no pipeline insurance?

February 26, 2014Economy, Fracking, Safetycrater, Economy, explosion, Fracking, insurance, John S. Quarterman, Nationwide, pipeline, risk management, Safety, SpectraBustersJohn S. Quarterman

What if negative publicity around pipelines gets as big as around fracking? Given the many recent high-profile pipeline accidents, that may already be happening. What happens to pipeline companies’ own insurance then? What happens to your homeowner or farm insurance?

CBS News 13 July 2012, Insurer Won’t Cover Gas Drill Fracking Exposure,

The memo reads: “After months of research and discussion, we have determined that the exposures presented by hydraulic fracturing are too great to ignore. Risks involved with hydraulic fracturing are now prohibited for General Liability, Commercial Auto, Motor Truck Cargo, Auto Physical Damage and Public Auto (insurance) coverage.”

It said “prohibited risks” apply to landowners who lease land for shale gas drilling and contractors involved in fracking operations, including those who haul water to and from drill sites; pipe and lumber haulers; and operators of bulldozers, dump trucks and other vehicles used in drill site preparation.

And it’s not just actual claims: Continue reading No fracking insurance: how long until no pipeline insurance? →

Real questions at Gilchrist County Commission

February 21, 2014Economy, Florida, Gilchrist County, Hazards, Law, SafetyAndrea Grover, Brian Fahrenthold, Economy, evasion, Florida, Gilchrist County, Hazards, John S. Quarterman, Law, Sabal Trail Transmission, Safety, Spectra Energy, SpectraBusters, transparencyJohn S. Quarterman

Two hours of first questions from a citizens committee with Spectra’s reps expected to answer right there in front of everybody, then questions from locals and people from many counties around, including attorneys representing landowners and other county commissions cross-examining Spectra on the spot. The Chairman of the Gilchrist County Commission said there was a general opinion among the populace that they were asking specific questions and getting only general answers. Congratulations, Chairman, Commission, staff, Committee, and everyone who asked questions for showing the world how it’s done, and for exposing Spectra’s evasions to public scrutiny.

Brian Fahrenthold (Spectra), Pete Butts (Citizen Committee), Bobby Crosby (County Administrator), Stephanie Denardo (WUFT), David M. Lang Jr. (County Attorney), Gilchrist County Commission, County Clerk, and more Spectra reps in foreground

You’ll see for yourself in the videos of the whole thing. Almost all: so much both camera batteries ran down, and it took a bit to find a plug.

One of the citizen committee questions was about Spectra’s safety record. Brian Fahrenthold assured the commission that Continue reading Real questions at Gilchrist County Commission →

Spectra’s Durham Woods apartment fire, Edison, NJ, 1994

February 21, 2014Economy, Explosion, Hazards, Health, Middlesex County, New Jersey, SafetyDurahm Woods, Economy, Edison, explosion, fire, Hazards, John S. Quarterman, Middlesex County, National Transportation Safety Board, New Jersey, NTSB, property damage, Safety, SpectraBusters, TETCO, Texas Eastern Transmission CorporationJohn S. Quarterman

Children running naked into the flaming night of a Spectra pipeline fireball, thousands evacuated, hundreds made homeless, some burnt or “felled by smoke”, one woman literally scared to death, all caused by corrosion in a dent Spectra knew about years before, and NTSB says it’s up to local governments to make pipeline companies prevent it happening again.

Robert D. McFadden wrote for NYTimes 25 March 1994, EXPLOSION IN EDISON: The Overview; New Jersey Pipeline Explosion Sets Off Panic, Chaos and Fear,

A natural gas pipeline explosion that awestruck witnesses compared to a blinding, scorching nuclear blast turned a neighborhood in the central New Jersey town of Edison early yesterday into a war zone of flames, panic and chaos.

Local resident jseaton uploaded to YouTube 15 May 2006, Edison Natural Gas Explosion – Durham Woods: “This is my video footage of the gas pipeline explosion in Edison NJ (March 1994). This was taken while trying to evacuate the Durham Woods apartment complex”

Back to the NYTimes story:

Scores of residents were hurt, one death was reported and Continue reading Spectra’s Durham Woods apartment fire, Edison, NJ, 1994 →