Article by Norma Beaird
This morning, the Georgia Department of Transportation (GA DOT) denied Kinder Morgan's certificate to build the Palmetto Pipeline, which essentially means that Kinder Morgan will not have the power to declare eminent domain on Georgia landowners.
Click here to read the statement from the GA DOT Commissioner Russell McMurry.
This is good news and it is proof that the people of Georgia have a voice. It is also proof that approximately 3000 public comments submitted online and emails are very effective in an issue such as this. It is also proof that meetings attended by hundreds of concerned citizens are very effective at quelling corporate tyranny.
From Commissioner McMurry's statement:
After careful consideration of information in the application submitted by Kinder Morgan on behalf of Palmetto; numerous public comments submitted at seven (7) public meetings held by Palmetto; two (2) public hearings hosted by the Georgia DOT; and approximately 3000 public comments submitted online and by mail to myself and the Utilities staff, the Department has determined that it will not issue a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity. The basis for the decision is outlined in our correspondence to Palmetto Products Pipe Line LLC.
This is a victory for Georgia landowners and it also proves the fact that there is power in numbers! The Palmetto Pipeline could have had a devastating effect on the environment and it could have invited a disturbing trend of eminent domain by corporations. Georgia landowners cannot allow this to happen. Our land is precious and the coastline, wetlands, rivers, birds and wildlife cannot afford more pollution and devastation.
Georgia cannot afford more environmental contamination.
Even though we have received good news on the Palmetto Pipeline issue, the battle for land in Georgia is not over yet. The battle to stop environmental contamination is not over - not by a long shot.
We need to turn our attention to the Sabal Trail Pipeline in Southwest Georgia. This proposed pipeline would be constructed throughout three states - Alabama, Georgia and Florida. Please help our friends in Southwest Georgia defeat the corporate tyranny efforts of Spectra Energy.
If you're not familiar with the tyrannical efforts of Spectra Energy, here is an overview to explain the Liquid Natural Gas (LNG) Pipeline that they're proposing to build, to include suing farm families in Southwest Georgia.
Spectra Energy: Like a Bull in a China Shop
Please support the landowners of Southwest Georgia at their next meeting in opposition to the Sabal Trail Pipeline:
When: Thursday, May 21, 7 p.m.
Phone: 912-961-6190
Price: Free
Where: First Presbyterian Church
520 Washington Avenue, Savannah (Eastside), Georgia
912-354-7615
Copyright 2015, Curtis and Norma Beaird. All rights reserved.
