Community involvement essential in fight against Sabal Trail Pipeline

Atlanta environmental firm GreenLaw issued a public call to action today, urging citizens to make their voices heard in the fight against the Sabal Trail Pipeline project.

On behalf of Sierra Club, Flint Riverkeeper, Chattahoochee Riverkeeper, and the Kiokee-Flint Group, GreenLaw filed extensive comments with the Federal Energy Regulatory Committee (FERC) noting the environmental, health and safety threats the pipeline would pose, particularly to low-income and minority neighbourhoods in Southwest Georgia, and questioning the impartiality of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement, which was authored by a leading gas industry consultant.

Addressing environmental concerns

Four Congressmen and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently voiced opposition to the gas pipeline that would plough through Alabama, Georgia, and Florida. In a letter to FERC, US Representatives Sanford D. Bishop Jr., John Lewis, Hank Johnson Jr., and David Scott expressed concern over the serious environmental justice issues raised by the proposal.

“Sabal Trail’s proposed pipeline and compressor station will further burden an already overburdened and disadvantaged African-American community in this area,” the letter stated.

"As confirmed by the EPA and the four Congressmen, it is foolhardy to construct a flammable natural gas pipeline through sinkhole-ridden areas – creating a high risk of pipeline collapse, rupture, and explosion – as Sabal is proposing, particularly when the pipeline will run through the City of Albany’s water supply well field and residential neighbourhoods,” said Steve Caley, Lead Attorney for GreenLaw.

The hearing

Citizens opposed to the pipeline should attend a hearing for the Clean Air permit necessary for the compressor station on 5 November 2015, in Albany, Georgia.

For the Clean Water Act permit from the US Army Corps of Engineers, required because of significant impacts to rivers and wetlands in Georgia, interested citizens must submit written comments before 11 December, and must request a hearing to submit oral comments.

As stated by Caley: “Vocal opposition from citizens is critical to successfully stopping the pipeline."

Edited from source by Stephanie Roker

Read the article online at: https://www.worldpipelines.com/project-news/03112015/community-involvement-essential-in-fight-against-sabal-trail-pipeline/