Tag Archives: FERC

Authority to Import and Export Gas by U.S. Department of Energy

FE, FERC, Law, , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Here’s a new way “entitled” fracking fossil fuel companies have gamed the system for LNG exports, currently to “Free Trade Agreement nations”, which will probably include India and China if the Trans-Pacific Parternship (TPP) gets approved. Even without exports, methane pipelines are to sell the “large amount of natural gas in the U.S.” produced by “the shale revolution”, which is fracking. The Sabal Trail pipeline isn’t about any alleged energy need in Florida. It’s about profits from fracking at the expense of your land.

Department of Energy notice 6 May 2013, Authority to Import and Export Gas: Constellation Energy Commodities Group Inc., et al.

The Office of Fossil Energy (FE) of the Department of Energy gives notice that during March 2013, it issued orders granting authority to import and export natural gas and liquefied natural gas and vacating prior authority. These orders are summarized in the attached appendix and may be found on the FE Web site at http://www.fossil.energy.gov/programs/gasregulation/authorizations/Orders-2012.html. They are also available for inspection and copying in the Office of Fossil Energy, Office of Natural Gas Regulatory Activities, Docket Room 3E-033, Forrestal Building, 1000 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20585, (202) 586-9478. The Docket Room is open between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

Issued in Washington, DC, on May 6, 2013.
John A. Anderson,
Manager, Natural Gas Regulatory Activities, Office of Oil and Gas Global Security and Supply, Office of Fossil Energy.

That web page includes a list of “DOE/FE Orders Granting Import/Export Authorizations”. The export orders are mostly for export to Canada and Mexico, plus two for “export LNG by vessel” from “the Lake Charles LNG Terminal” and “the proposed Gasfin LNG Export Project in Parish, Louisiana” to “Free Trade Agreement nations.”

Here’s DoE’s list of current NATURAL GAS IMPORT & EXPORT REGULATION – FREE TRADE AGREEMENT (FTA) COUNTRIES AND LNG EXPORTS: Continue reading Authority to Import and Export Gas by U.S. Department of Energy →

A hundred against the Sabal Trail pipeline in Albany

Dougherty County, FERC, Georgia, Law, , , , , , , , , , , ,

People who were there tell me a hundred locals were present, many spoke against the pipeline, while not one spoke for it. And the Dougherty County Attorney and a County Commissioner spoke against the pipeline.

Carlton Fletcher wrote for the Albany Herald 2014-03-04, Large crowd takes pipeline concerns to federal officials at Albany meeting,

While others pondered and expounded on the complexities of the proposed 460-mile Sabal Trail natural gas pipeline projected to run through a large portion of south Dougherty County, Melvin George’s take on the controversial project was one of simplicity.

“Here’s the shortest route, the one that makes the most sense: Continue reading A hundred against the Sabal Trail pipeline in Albany →

Colquitt County passes pipeline minimum depth resolution

Agriculture, Colquitt County, FERC, Georgia, Law, , , , , , , , ,

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 Colquitt County passes pipeline minimum depth resolution →

FERC refuses to release RFP for environmental contractor

Environment, FERC, Law, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

FERC is less transparent about a $3 billion project than a local library board was about a $10 million project. Last night in Valdosta FERC again failed to provide the RFP used in selecting the environmental contractor to be used on all three of the proposed connected methane pipelines. I’ve never heard of any other tax-funded agency refusing to release an RFP of which they have a copy. Have you?

FERC Kevin Bowman environmental protection specialist (pictured on the left) said he’d never heard anyone request an RFP before. He should talk to his FERC co-worker John Peconom (pictured on the right), because, as I mentioned when I stood up to talk, Peconom had already refused to release that RFP.

At the make-up Open House in Moultrie I asked John Peconom for: Continue reading FERC refuses to release RFP for environmental contractor →

FERC acceptance for Sabal Trail pre-filing PF14-01 2013-10-16

Environment, FERC, Law, , , , , , , ,

This is FERC’s Letter order approving Sabal Trail Transmission, LLC’s 10/4/13 Pre-Filing Request re the planned Sabal Trail Project under PF14-1. See also FERC refuses to release RFP for environmental contractor.

FEDERAL ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20426

OFFICE OF ENERGY PROJECTS

In Reply Refer To:
OEP/DG2E/Gas Branch 3
Sabal Trail Transmission, LLC
Sabal Trail Project
Docket No. PF14-1-000

October 16, 2013
Ms. Lisa A. Connolly
General Manager, Rates and Certificates
Sabal Trail Transmission, LLC
2701 N. Rocky Point Drive, Suite 1050
Tampa, FL 33607

Re: Approval of Pre-Filing Request: Sabal Trail Project

Dear Ms. Connolly:

Thank you for your letter, filed October 4, 2013, requesting use of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s (FERC or Commission) pre-filing review process for Sabal Trail Transmission, LLC’s (Sabal Trail) planned Sabal Trail Project (Project). We believe that beginning the Commission’s review of this proposal prior to the receipt of your application will greatly improve our ability to identify issues early and address them in our environmental document.

As stated in your letter, Sabal Trail plans to: Continue reading FERC acceptance for Sabal Trail pre-filing PF14-01 2013-10-16 →

No sense of security with pipeline next to your home –Carol Singletary

FERC, Georgia, Hazards, Lowndes County, , , , , , , ,

And don’t forget the FERC Scoping Meetings starting this week: today in Albany, tomorrow (Tuesday) in Valdosta, and Wednesday in Moultrie. You can testify to the federal agency that can deny this pipeline.

Shannon Wiggins wrote for WALB yesterday, Lowndes County woman opposes pipeline,

Carol Singletary lives in West Lowndes County and says she’s not in favor of a natural gas pipeline that would run across her property. She’s worried about child safety, and also has environmental concerns. She’s encouraging other landowners to voice their concerns, and hopes an alternate route is chosen.

“When you have it within 100 feet of your home, you cannot have any sense of security there. There are alternate routes that aren’t being considered. So I want to get those on the table and some strong considerations given to those,” said Carol Singletary.

Even if it’s not next to your home, your tax dollars will go to clean up any leak or explosion. So come speak up!

-jsq

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

Colquitt County, Dougherty County, Economy, Environment, FERC, Georgia, Hazards, Law, Lowndes County, Meetings, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

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 →

Property rights and water: please deny the Sabal Trail methane pipeline –Tim Carroll, Valdosta City Council, 5th District

Corrosion, Environment, Explosion, FERC, Georgia, Hazards, Health, Law, Leak, Safety, Water, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Filed with FERC 3 March 2014; PDF -jsq

Tim Carroll, Valdosta, GA.

To: Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

I am writing to you on behalf of citizens that live in my city council district. Specifically those that will be negatively impacted by the Sabal Trail methane gas pipeline. Please accept the following reasons why I oppose this project coming through our community.

  1. Eminent Domain laws refer to the greater good of the citizens of the community and/or state where this law is being used. Continue reading Property rights and water: please deny the Sabal Trail methane pipeline –Tim Carroll, Valdosta City Council, 5th District →

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

Alabama, Corrosion, Economy, Environment, Explosion, FERC, Florida, Fracking, Georgia, Hazards, Health, Law, Leak, Noise, Safety, Solar, Water, West Virginia, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

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

Colquitt County attorney gives up too easily

Colquitt County, FERC, Georgia, Law, , , , , , , , , ,

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 →