Tag Archives: Florida

More about the Sabal Trail gas pipeline and how to stop it: SpectraBusters Information Meeting #2

PDF

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Valdosta, November 19, 2013 –Find out Saturday morning about the huge pipeline proposed to run through our area. Who benefits (not Georgia citizens). What fines have been imposed on the pipeline company. What are the potential dangers of corrosion, leaks and more. Most importantly, find out what our community can do to stop this pipeline from being built.

When:  10 AM to Noon
Saturday, November 23rd 2013

Where: Valdosta City Hall Annex
300 North Lee Street
Valdosta, GA 31601
Phone:(229) 259-3506

Why: Spectra Energy proposes
a hundred-foot-wide gash through our lands for their huge 36 inch Sabal Trail gas pipeline from Alabama through Georgia to feed Florida Power and Light (FPL) for no benefit to local citizens. A one-time payment is nowhere near adequate for permanent destruction and hazards when FPL and Spectra would continue to profit forever.

Agenda:

Continue reading More about the Sabal Trail gas pipeline and how to stop it: SpectraBusters Information Meeting #2

AARP against FPL rate hike for gas pipeline

Today is the last day to file legal protest against the Sabal Trail pipeline at the Florida PSC. AARP is already protesting FPL’s rate hikes for that pipeline all the way to the Supreme Court, for the health, safety, and financial security of AARP members; concerns that are just as valid along the whole path of that proposed pipeline as they are for FPL ratepayers in Florida.

Dr. Richard Swier wrote for watchdogwire.com 3 May 2013, AARP files brief in the Florida Supreme Court challenging the Florida Public Service Commission: Lawsuit involves FPL rate increase,

Attorney Jack L. McRay — representing the AARP — has filed a brief with the Florida Supreme Court asking the Court to remand the recent decision by the Florida Public Service Commission (Commission) to approval a “secret” settlement agreement between Florida Power & Light (FPL) and three other parties related to FPL’s March 2012 petition filed with the Commission to raise electric rates for some 4.1 million customers.

What are these rate increases for? Let’s go to the horse’s mouth, FPL VP of development and external affairs Pam Rauch, the same who filed PF14-2 at FERC for the connecting pipeline Florida Southeast Connection LLC (FSC), wrote in Florida Voices 29 July 2012, FPL Makes Its Case for Rate Increase, Continue reading AARP against FPL rate hike for gas pipeline

House subcommittee wants to export gas

Is this what that proposed pipeline is really for, exporting gas for profit of gas company executives at the cost of our local land? Rep. Ted Yoho (R FL-03) of north Florida is on this House subcommittee.

25 April 2013, NATURAL GAS EXPORTS: ECONOMIC AND GEOPOLITICAL OPPORTUNITIES: HEARING BEFORE THE SUBCOMMITTEE ON TERRORISM, NONPROLIFERATION, AND TRADE OF THE COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN AFFAIRS, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, ONE HUNDRED THIRTEENTH CONGRESS, FIRST SESSION,

Opening statement by Chairman Ted Poe (R TX-02) of Houston:

Five years ago, companies were building terminals to import natural gas at the cost of billions of dollars because analysts agreed that the United States’ economy was going to need natural gas from overseas. Today, that scenario has changed 180 percent. Import terminals lie dormant. The Department of Energy has 19 applications waiting to get permission to export natural gas. Thanks to breakthroughs, the United States’ natural gas reserves have climbed 72 percent since 2000 and 49 percent since 2005. The amount of natural gas that is technically recoverable in the United States is 97 times greater than all of the natural gas we consumed in 2011. In plain terms, this means we have an abundance of natural gas that we are not using. It is just sitting there, and this is really not smart policy, or smart business.

Rep. Ted Poe (R TX-02)

A big reason why is Continue reading House subcommittee wants to export gas

What is that Sabal Trail gas pipeline and how to stop it: SpectraBusters Information Meeting

PDF

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Valdosta, November 11, 2013— Find out Saturday morning about the huge pipeline proposed to run through our area. Who benefits (not Georgia citizens). What fines have been imposed on the pipeline company. What are the potential dangers of corrosion, leaks and more. Most importantly, find out what our community can do to stop this pipeline from being built.

When: 10 AM Saturday November 16th 2013

Where: Meeting Room B
Clarion Inn Conference Center
2101 W Hill Ave, Valdosta, GA 31601
Phone:(229) 242-1212

Agenda:

  • In the path of the pipeline: landowners and others on why we oppose it
  • Allies speak (fossil fuel divestment, clean energy, watershed conservation)
  • Introduction of elected and appointed officials
  • Slide presentation about the pipeline
  • Discussion and opportunities to sign up to help

Spectra Energy proposes Continue reading What is that Sabal Trail gas pipeline and how to stop it: SpectraBusters Information Meeting

Senator Bill Nelson directs FERC to respond

A Sumter County, Florida resident copied her U.S. Senators when she asked FERC to answer the questions Spectra won’t. Senator Bill Nelson directed FERC to answer.

Here’s the letter from Senator Bill Nelson to FERC:

NOV. 1.2013 1:37PM 4078727165 N0.4797 P. 2/4

PF14-1

United States Senate
WASHINGTON. DC 50510-0905
BILL NELSON
FLORIDA
November 1, 2013

Mr. Chris Murray
Director, Division of Governmental Aflairs Continue reading Senator Bill Nelson directs FERC to respond

Florida PSC tentatively approved pipeline

Where’s the Georgia Public Service Commission on a pipeline that gashes across Georgia to serve Florida? The Florida Public Service Commission has made an initial ruling.

Ivan Penn wrote for the Tampa Bay Times 24 October 2013, Florida PSC approves third major natural gas pipeline,

State regulators approved the construction of a third major natural gas pipeline Thursday that will increase Florida’s capacity by 20 percent at a cost of $3 billion.

The unanimous vote by the five-member state Public Service Commission clears the first of two major hurdles for the new system that is projected to come on line in 2017.

“The need for this project is Continue reading Florida PSC tentatively approved pipeline

FL PSC determination about Sabal Trail pipeline not final yet

Document 06488-13 of 10/28/2013:

PAA Order PSC-13-0505-PAA-EI on FPL’s proposed Sabal Trail Transmission, LLC and Florida Southeast Connection pipelines; docket to be closed if order becomes final; protest due 11/18/13.

At the top of the document there’s this:

NOTICE is hereby given by the Florida Public Service Commission that the action discussed herein is preliminary in nature and will become final unless a person whose interests are substantially affected files a petition for a formal proceeding, pursuant to Rule 25-22.029, Florida Administrative Code.

And at the end of the document there’s this addendum,

NOTICE OF FURTHER PROCEEDINGS OR JUDICIAL REVIEW

The Florida Public Service Commission is required by Section 120.569(1), Florida Statutes, to notify parties of any administrative hearing that is available under Section 120.57, Florida Statutes, as well as the procedures and time limits that apply. This notice should not be construed to mean all requests for an administrative hearing will be granted or result in the relief sought.

Mediation may be available on a case-by-case basis. If mediation is conducted, it does not affect a substantially interested person’s right to a hearing.

The action proposed herein is preliminary in nature. Any person whose substantial interests are affected by the action proposed by this order may file a petition for a formal proceeding, in the form provided by Rule 28-106.201, Florida Administrative Code. This petition must be received by the Office of Commission Clerk, 2540 Shumard Oak Boulevard, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0850, by the close of business on November 18, 2013.

In the absence of such a petition, this order shall become final and effective upon the issuance of a Consummating Order.

Any objection or protest filed in this/these docket(s) before the issuance date of this order is considered abandoned unless it satisfies the foregoing conditions and is renewed within the specified protest period.

Here’s more context.

-jsq

Move pipeline to unpopulated electric corridor –Gertrude C. Dickinson

Why should a pipeline company from Texas get to gouge a 100 foot path through a flood plain despite local restrictions and make enough noise to threaten a local resident in Sumter County, Florida? A very thorough comment on Sabal Trail’s PF14-1 by Gertrude C. Dickinson raises these questions.

Deed restrictions with flood plain restrictions According to deed restrictions on her lot, which is uphill from the proposed pipeline route. Downhill is hardly less in the flood plain of Florida’s Withlacoochee River in Sumter County.

No permanent structures of fill material of any sort shall be placed within the delineated flood plain areas.

We’ve heard from Ms. Dickinson before, in her letter to SpectraBusters, Half Moon Wildlife Management Area and Sabal Trails and in a story by mynews123.com, Florida opposition to Spectra pipeline. Here’s her comment sent 12 October 2013 and stamped received 21 October 2013 by FERC:

Letter (1 of 2) Docket #PF 14-1
Sabal Transmission

Gertrude C. Dickinson
7963 CR247
(Rutland Ranch DeveIopment- Deed Restricted)
(Rutland, Florida 33538)
Post Office Mailing Address:
Lake Panasoffkee, FL 33538

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
Attn: Secretary Sarah McKinley
888 First Street N.E
Washington, DC 20426
RE: Pre-filing Docket- Sabal Transmission II PF14—1

Half Moon Wildlife Management Area Continue reading Move pipeline to unpopulated electric corridor –Gertrude C. Dickinson

Open Houses in Florida for PF14-2 –Florida Southeast Connection

FERC-required Open Houses for the south Florida pipeline were filed by Florida Southeast Connection Monday. Polk County gets two, and one each for Osceola, Martin (where the power plant is supposed to be), St. Lucie, and Okeechobee Counties. -jsq

October 29, 2013

Ms. Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary
Mr. Nathaniel J. Davis, Sr., Deputy Secretary
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
888 First Street, NE
Washington, DC 20426

Re: Florida Southeast Connection, LLC, Docket No. PF14-2-000

Dear Ms. Bose and Mr. Davis:

On October 16, 2013, the Director of the Office of Energy Projects issued a letter in the above-captioned docket approving the request of Florida Southeast Connection, LLC (“FSC”) to commence the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s (“Commission”) Pre-filing Review Process of its proposed FSC Project (“Project”). Consistent with Sections 157.21(f)(1) and 157.21(f)(3) of the Commission’s regulations, FSC hereby submits, as an attachment, the letter sent to affected landowners establishing the dates and locations established for open houses. FSC has also separately informed stakeholders (including agencies), regarding the project and the dates and location of the open houses.

Please contact Continue reading Open Houses in Florida for PF14-2 –Florida Southeast Connection

Non-Landowner stakeholders and agency permits –Sabal Trail

Yesterday Sabal Trail submitted to FERC a gold mine of contact information in the form of Updated Appendices C and D to the Public and Agency Participation Plan for the Sabal Trail Project under Docket No. PF14-1, submitted by Lisa A. Connolly.

Appendix C: Stakeholder List — Non-Landowners Federal, State and Local Agencies

This list includes the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) in Mobile, Birmingham, Savannah, and Jackonville thhe U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) in Daphne, Alabama, in Atlanta, Townsend, and Fort Benning, Georgia, and in Vero Beach and Jacksonville, Florida, the EPA, NOAA, and numerous state offices in Alabama, Georgia, and Florida, and a long list of Indian tribes.

Appendix D: Agency Permits/Approvals

None of these are actually for permits yet; they’re all for process or consultation.. Agencies listed include FERC, EPA, USACE, USFWS, NOAA, a long list of federally recognized tribes, and state conservation, natural resources, transportation, wildlife, parks, and historic preservation agencies for Alabama, Georgia, and Florida, as well as quite a few TBD (to be determined) contacts for specific counties, including, surprisingly, Tift County, Georgia.

-jsq