Risks and realities of a projectRisks and realities of a project

Impacted GA Counties:

- Stewart (Lumpkin), Webster (Preston)- Terrell (Dawson), Lee (Leesburg)- Dougherty (Albany), Mitchell (Camilla)- Colquitt (Moultrie), Brooks (Quitman)- Lowndes (Valdosta)

More maps available at www.spectrabusters.org

Sabal Trail Pipeline Route

Sabal Trail Transmission LLC is a joint venture of Spectra Corp and NextEra Energy

They were awarded the 465-mile interstate project in July 2013 by Florida Power & Light Company (FPL) (please keep this Florida connection in mind!)

Estimated cost of the project is > $3 billion

The planned in-service date for the pipeline is May 2017

A 36 inch pipeline would be used for this project

The pipeline would run for 196 miles through Georgia

It would carry >1 billion cubic feet of natural gas per day

A survey study of 600 feet would be taken to allow for future pipeline route refinements “if necessary”

An easement of 100 feet would be acquired from landowners along the route

The project “will create significant jobs ... as well as add capital investment and tax base to all three states.”

The pipeline “will increase energy diversity, security and reliability to southeastern markets”, while providing “clean-burning, affordable natural gas.”

“Sabal Trail is dedicated to safe operation”; “our safety programs exceed regulatory requirements”; “pipeline will operate in accordance with federal safety requirements (DOT / PHMSA)”; “we will monitor the pipeline 24/7”; …

Fossil fuels are finite resources Current natural gas boom caused by

hydraulic fracturing (“fracking”): contamination of groundwater methane emissions health concerns

Justification for Sabal Trail pipeline: To help cities like Tampa switch from coal and oil to natural gas? Energy alternatives in the “sunshine state”?

Growing LNG export market in Florida: Currently 2 permitted export stations 4 new facilities are reportedly under review Gov. Rick Scott personally benefits (see Miami Herald, 7-21-2014), members of Florida’s Public Service Commission approving this project were appointed by him, and landowners in Georgia are

left with no choice?

Energy Independence and Exports?

At least 129 serious pipeline accidents nationwide since 2010Spectra Energy alone responsible for > $8 million in property damage (according to the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration)

Spectra Energy fined > $15 million for spills at 89 pipelines sites Spectra Energy in general has a poor maintenance and monitoring record

Knifely, Kentucky / 2-3-2014Enon, Louisiana / 6-18-2013

What is the position of Sabal Trail LLC on fracking, property rights, and its so-called “safety record” as outlined above?

Why has Sabal Trail been unwilling to provide copies of the maps they displayed at scope meetings or lists of potentially affected landowners?

Have any elected officials or corporations petitioned for this line to run through our state? What is the amount of revenue to the state of Georgia that will come from this pipeline? How many permanent jobs will this project create for Georgians?

Are there any contracts to supply Georgia businesses or residents from the proposed pipeline?

How much of the natural gas from the proposed pipeline will be exported?

What type of liability insurance does Sabal Trail LLC have in case of any accidents?

The top cover on a 36-inch pipeline should be at least 5 feet, yet in some areas Sabal Trail only seems to provide 3 feet. Why?

The proposed Sabal Trail pipeline would run underneath rivers like the Santa Fe, through areas of karst topography, and above the Floridan aquifer. Can Sabal Trail guarantee the safety of our rivers, ground water aquifers and drinking water?

Companies may utilize “eminent domain” under the Natural Gas Act if this is in the “public interest”

A 100 foot wide easement will be claimed

Landowners loose the right to use this easement as they see fit (no trees or dwellings)

Landowners will continue to pay property taxes on the virtually useless easement

Land will decrease in value

Thank You For Listening!

Do You Have Any Questions?