Public hearing scheduled for Bayou Bridge pipeline

Running from Lake Charles to St. James Parish, the pipeline will transport crude oil under the largest swamp in the US. For this reason, there is major environmental concern.

"The Atchafalaya is full of trees and roots and vegetation and wildlife, so it will affect not just the people of Louisiana, but the huntsman, the fisherman, the people that get out their swamp and make their living in the swamp," explained Bert Cappel, an opponent of the pipeline project.

However, Griffin Briggs, Vice President of the Louisiana Oil and Gas Association, has assured the public that the welfare of the environment is of the utmost importance.

Briggs stated: "50% of the fuel that powers this nation comes through that pipeline. Pipelines are a part of life in an energy producing state, and yes, we need to make sure we're operating in the safest way possible.”

The pipeline, which will transport approximately 480 000 bpd of crude oil, will be an essential element of the energy infrastructure that supports Gulf Coast refineries and, consequently, benefit the entire US economy.

While a verdict on the project is still undecided, St. Martin Parish President, Guy Cormier, explained: "We are not against oil and gas companies. We just want to make sure it's done right ... I want to know exactly what they are going to put in the ground."

At present, no decision has been made on the pipeline, nor have any new permits been granted.