Tag Archives: Spectra Energy

WV polluter files bankruptcy: why should we expect better from Sabal Trail?

January 20, 2014Environment, Hazards, Safety, West Virginiacompressor station, environment, Freedom Industries, Hazards, insurance, John S. Quarterman, NextEra, Sabal Trail Transmission, Safety, Spectra Energy, SpectraBusters, Susan Waller, West VirginiaJohn S. Quarterman

A shell company lasted only weeks before filing bankruptcy after polluting a West Virginia river and drinking water for 300,000 people. No assets, no insurance, as near as I can tell. Sabal Trail Transmission is a shell company owned by Spectra Energy and NextEra and managed by Spectra: what assets does it have, and what insurance has it offered in case its pipeline corrodes and leaks like Spectra has been fined for or one of its compressor stations leaks like in Pennsylvania or Maine or residents have to evacuate as Spectra’s Susan Waller said would happen in case of a “true emergency”? Who will pay for the local first responders, or property damage, or a polluted aquifer?

Nick Visser wrote for The Huffington Post 17 January 2014, Freedom Industries, Company Behind West Virginia Chemical Spill, Files For Bankruptcy,

The company behind the massive chemical spill that made tap water unsafe for more than 300,000 West Virginians has filed for bankruptcy, according to documents obtained by The Huffington Post.

According to bankruptcy filings, Freedom Industries, wholly owned by Chemstream Holdings Inc., filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on Friday. Freedom Industries owns the storage facility responsible for leaking up to 7,500 gallons of 4-methylcyclohexane methanol (a coal-cleaning chemical also known as crude MCHM) into West Virginia’s Elk River.

And Freedom Industries was only formed a few weeks ago. Steven Mufson wrote for the Washington Post (undated), One week after W. Va. toxic spill, new owner of Freedom Industries puts firm in bankruptcy,

It took just one week for Pennsylvania coal mining executive Cliff Forrest, the new owner of Freedom Industries, to discover that one of the six-decade-old storage tanks he had acquired Dec. 31 was leaking a toxic chemical into the Elk River that supplies water to about 300,000 West Virginians….

Forrest, through another firm he owns, paid Continue reading WV polluter files bankruptcy: why should we expect better from Sabal Trail? →

Five compressor stations proposed by Sabal Trail and Spectra

January 20, 2014Alabama, Dougherty County, Florida, Georgia, Marion County, Osceola County, Suwannee County, Tallapoosa CountyAlabama, compressor station, Dougherty County, Florida, Georgia, John S. Quarterman, Marion County, Osceola County, Sabal Trail Transmission, Spectra Energy, SpectraBusters, Suwannee County, Tallapoosa CountyJohn S. Quarterman

Spectra proposes five compressor stations along its Sabal Trail Transmission gas pipe: Alexander in Tallapoosa County, AL, Albany in Dougherty County, GA, Hildreth in Suwannee County, FL, Dunnellon in Marion County, FL, and Reunion in Osceola County, FL. Why should we expect them to be any safer than the ones in Maine or Pennsylvania?

Alexander

Alexander City Compressor Station in Tallapoosa County, Alabama Continue reading →

“The most terrifying experience”: Spectra blows another compressor station

January 20, 2014Hazards, Hudson County, Leak, Maine, Waldo CountyAndrea Grover, Brian Fahrenthold, compressor station, Hazards, John S. Quarterman, Maine, Maritimes & Northeast Pipeline, Marylee Hanlee, natural gas, New England Road, Searsmont, Spectra Energy, SpectraBusters, Susan Totman, Susan Waller, Waldo CountyJohn S. Quarterman

Spectra Energy refuses to say much about a compressor station leak in Maine, much like the one in Pennsylvania in March 2013. Spectra’s Susan Waller did offer that in a real emergency everyone would have been evacuated. Who wants that next to the five compressor stations Spectra proposes along the Sabal Trail Transmission pipeline it wants to gouge through Alabama, Georgia, and Florida?

Abigail Curtis wrote for Bangor Daily News 15 January 2014, ‘The most terrifying experience’: Residents question safety in wake of malfunction at Searsmont natural gas pipeline station,

First came the noise late New Year’s Eve at the Searsmont natural gas pipeline compressor station, so loud that it caused nearby homes to shake and some residents, frightened by the jet-engine-like roar, to pack up their cars and flee for the night.

Then came the questions, as some members of the normally quiet rural community wondered how safe — or dangerous — it is to live so close to the Maritimes & Northeast Pipeline facility. The station was shut down for Continue reading “The most terrifying experience”: Spectra blows another compressor station →

Monstrous pipeline more than one can be compensated for –Dante Acevedo to FERC

January 15, 2014Brooks County, Economy, FERC, Georgia, HazardsBrooks County, Economy, FERC, Georgia, Hazards, John S. Quarterman, Sabal Trail Transmission, Spectra Energy, SpectraBustersJohn S. Quarterman

Filed with FERC 15 January 2014:

Dante Acevedo, quitman, GA.

I am a resident of Brooks county in southern Georgia. My property is being intruded upon by Sabal Trail, a subsidiary of Spectra Energy. Since the pipeline is “open-access,” it will encourage industrial development, including natural gas extraction, which will drastically alter the rural character of the community where I have lived for nearly twenty years and my grandmother for nearly 50 years. As no one else can represent my interests in this matter, I am filing this motion to intervene. This is a tremendously dangerous endeavor since it is going through a rural area with many homes and livelihoods. The thought of such a monstrous pipeline with the potential to create massive destruction and death outside ones door is more than one can be compensated for.

Furthermore, this pipeline proposal seems to dismiss Continue reading Monstrous pipeline more than one can be compensated for –Dante Acevedo to FERC →

Appeal to redacted FOIA –Beth Gordon

January 12, 2014FERC, LawBeth Gordon, FERC, FOIA, invasion, John S. Quarterman, landowners, Law, need to know, privacy, public, redacted, Sabal Trail Transmission, Spectra Energy, SpectraBusters, transparencyJohn S. Quarterman

“If Sabal Trail and Spectra energy are not guilty of invasion of privacy, why isn’t the public need to know and educate equally if not more important?”

That’s the gist of Beth Gordon’s appeal of 12 January 2014 to FERC’s redacted landowner list in response to her FOIA request. Here’s more:

It is my opinion that there is no privacy interest in the mere name and mailing address of an individual, particularly where, as here, Sabal Trail and Spectra energy has already used them numerous times to send unsolicited letters, invitations, and demands to survey. If Sabal Trail and Spectra energy are not guilty of invasion of privacy, why isn’t the public need to know and educate equally if not more important? The public right to know who is affected, to become educated, and to understand what is at stake ought not to be left to a private energy corporation that stands to make millions of dollars by getting this project approved with the least amount of resistance from landowners. FERC’S refusal to release these names and mailing addresses ensures that Sabal Trail and Spectra Energy are the only ones with the ability to contact these individuals (which they have done numerous times) and “educate them” as to this particular pipeline project.

In the Act generally, and particularly under Exemption (6), there is a strong presumption in favor of disclosure.” Continue reading Appeal to redacted FOIA –Beth Gordon →

Sloppy FOIA redaction from FERC for Sabal Trail pipeline landowners

January 12, 2014FERC, LawEducation, exemption 6, FERC, FOIA, invasion, John S. Quarterman, landowners, Law, privacy, redaction, Sabal Trail Transmission, Spectra Energy, SpectraBustersJohn S. Quarterman

FERC took a week to not supply what was requested in Beth Gordon’s FOIA, and apparently if you’ve organized your property under an LLC, your LLC name is visible on the redacted list, even if that name includes your personal name. Whose privacy is FERC protecting, anyway, now that all landowners along the proposed pipline path have had their privacy invaded by the pipeline company?

Here’s what Beth Gordon asked for 2 January 2014:

A list of each and every landowner in Florida contacted by Sabal Trail LLC by mail to inform them that they are on, or may be on, the proposed pipeline and/or proposed survey map for this project.

Here’s what FERC sent back 10 January 2014:

A redacted version of the Sabal Trails landowner list that was submitted to FERC of October 4, 2013 in docket number PF-14-1 has been previously released under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). This document is identified in the FERC e-library as accession number 20131004-5123 (Appendix B). Please find attached part 1 and part 2 of this redacted list. Additional emails will be provided with the remainder of this material. We will also provide a courtesy copy of the public cover letter for this submittal.

Appendix B of 20131004-5123 is marked on FERC’s website as:

You don’t have permission to access this document.
This document (eLibrary accession no. 20131004-5123) is Privileged.
The public may file a FOIA request under 18 C.F.R. 388.108.

Here are the four parts Continue reading Sloppy FOIA redaction from FERC for Sabal Trail pipeline landowners →

Sabal Trail makeup meeting in Moultrie

January 11, 2014Colquitt County, FERC, GeorgiaColquitt County, FERC, Georgia, John S. Quarterman, Lisa A. Connolly, Open House, Sabal Trail Transmission, Sandra Y. Jones, Spectra Energy, SpectraBustersJohn S. Quarterman

Perhaps in response to a complaint from a local landowner, Sabal Trail has scheduled a makeup “Open House” meeting in Moultrie for 27 January 2014.

Lisa A. Connolly filed with FERC 9 January 2014, Sabal Trail Transmission, LLC submits its Supplement to Schedule for Open Houses for the Sabal Trail Project under PF14-1.

On November 12, 2013, Sabal Trail submitted the date and location for an additional open house. Sabal Trail hereby submits the date and location for an additional open house that Sabal Trail will hold in Moultrie, Georgia.

Here are the specifics:

Monday, January 27, 2014
Holiday Inn Express
850 Veterans Parkway North
Moultrie, GA 31788
5:00pm to 7:30pm

This could have something to do with local landowner Continue reading Sabal Trail makeup meeting in Moultrie →

Methane pipeline rejected in New Jersey

January 11, 2014Cape May County, Economy, Environment, FERC, Hazards, Law, New Jersey, TreesBL England, blueberries, bobcats, Cape May County, coal, coastal plain, ecology, Economy, environment, FERC, Floridan Aquifer, FPL, fragile, Hazards, jobs, John S. Quarterman, Law, New Jersey, New Jersey Board of Public Utilities, New Jersey Pinelands Commission, NJBPU, pine, Pine Barrens, Pinelands, Pinus Echinata, Sabal Trail Transmission, shortleaf pine, Sierra Club, South Jersey Gas, Spectra Energy, SpectraBusters, TreesJohn S. Quarterman

In the same coastal plain that contains the Floridan Aquifer with our drinking water, a commission just rejected a natural gas pipeline that would have gone through a pine fire forest with blueberries and bobcats much like ours. FERC should reject the Sabal Trail pipeline.

Wayne Parry wrote for AP 10 January 2014, Natural gas pipeline for N.J. Pinelands rejected,

Pemberton Township, N.J. — A New Jersey agency tasked with protecting the ecologically fragile Pinelands region narrowly defeated a proposal Friday to run a 22-mile natural gas pipeline through it….

“This is a great victory for the Pinelands and the environment of the region,” said Jeff Tittel, director of the New Jersey Sierra Club. “Today the commissioners said the Pinelands are not for sale.”

“The Pinelands is host Continue reading Methane pipeline rejected in New Jersey →

Government has to pay eminent domain attorney costs –Brent Simon Law Group

January 4, 2014Florida, Laweminent domain, Florida, John S. Quarterman, Law, Sabal Trail Transmission, Spectra Energy, SpectraBustersJohn S. Quarterman

Interesting tidbit on the website for Brent Simon Law Group, The Eminent Domain Process, COMMON QUESTIONS ABOUT THE PROCESS:

WILL I BE REQUIRED TO PAY ANY ATTORNEYS FEES OR COSTS?

Florida Statutes require the government pay reasonable attorney fees and expert costs. Although some attorneys may seek a portion of the money paid for your land or business, BRENT SIMON LAW GROUP is satisfied with the attorneys fee and costs which the Florida Statues require the government to pay based on benefit the firm obtains for the client. The owner pays no attorneys fee nor cost!

Given that landowners say Sabal Trail Transmission is sending eminent domain letters in Florida citing Florida law, with law firms like that there’s no obvious reason for any landowner not to retain an attorney to fight the pipeline.

This is one in a series Continue reading Government has to pay eminent domain attorney costs –Brent Simon Law Group →

Local Levy County paper reports on landowner’s presentation to the Levy County Commission- a bit late.

December 31, 2013Florida, Levy CountyBeth Gordon, insurance, Sabal Trail Transmission, Spectra EnergyBeth Gordon

Lou Elliott Jones wrote for the Williston Pioneer Monday, December 30, 2013 at 2:54 pm Williston lawyer asks county for help with pipeline

Williston resident and attorney Beth Gordon asked the Levy County Commission to use its authority to address safety and insurance concerns with the proposed Sabal Trail LLC gas pipeline that will be built through Levy County.
But while the commissioners listened, they did not debate taking any action. Commissioner Mike Joyner of Morriston (R-District 3) recommended Gordon speak with another attorney who is handling business for several residents with the pipeline company.
Gordon, who has also filed a protest against the line with the Florida Public Service Commission, said the 36-inch pipeline that will carry methane gas at 1,200 pounds per square inch of pressure through Alabama, Georgia and Florida will be buried only 3 feet from the surface. The line is being built by Spectra Energy for Florida Power and Light.
She asked the commission to invite Spectra Energy representatives to attend a commission meeting to answer residents’ questions about the pipeline. She said an open house hosted by Sabal on Dec. 9 in Williston did not provide answers to residents’ concerns. “Most people don’t even know we have it coming through.”
“The commission has many things it can do,” Gordon said. “It can require county easements to be used for the pipeline. It can require a certain amount of insurance.”
If an accident were to occur, Gordon said, “You certainly will be happy to have that insurance rather than having to sue Spectra Energy.”