Article by Curtis Beaird
Maps courtesy of Spectrabusters.org
Spectra Energy is a Fortune 500 company based in Houston, Texas. They say that they are one of North America’s leading natural gas, natural gas liquids and crude oil infrastructure companies. Their claim to fame — It builds pipelines to ship natural gas. It builds storage facilities to hold natural gas. It distributes natural gas.
From their website, they are proposing the Sabal Trail Pipeline Project:
Sabal Trail Transmission, LLC (Sabal Trail), a joint venture of Spectra Energy Corp and NextEra Energy, Inc., is an interstate natural gas pipeline project that will be able to transport over 1 billion cubic feet (per day) of natural gas over an approximate 500 mile distance between Alabama, Georgia and Florida. Transportation services for FP&L’s power generation needs will begin in May 2017. In addition, Sabal Trail and Duke Energy of Florida (“DEF”) have executed a precedent agreement for Sabal Trail to provide transportation services to DEF’s proposed new power plant to be located in Citrus County, Florida.
Spectra Energy also sues landowners. Yes, not only is ditching and welding, pipe and shut off valves necessary to Spectra’s construction process, suing landowners is part of the mix.
But wait, let’s hear from Spectra Energy. On their spiffy website, sporting a wonderful picture of a Pronghorn, they are clear about how they thrive. Please note. Spectra looks beyond success. They intend to thrive. And, they tell us right up front how they plan to do it. “By achieving the right balance among, economic, environmental and social considerations to stakeholders like you.”
What they failed to note. What they didn’t even mention about thriving and balance and social considerations — they gladly sue farm families in Georgia. One Spectra Energy generated trial begins on May 28, 2015 at 9:30 a.m. at the Courthouse Annex in Moultrie, Georgia.
Why?
Why would a $15 Billion Dollar energy company sue a farm family?
The answer is painfully simple. This family, clearly outside the Spectra’s understanding of stakeholder, is in Spectra Energy’s way. They refuse to do what Spectra wants them to do. They have taken issue with Spectra’s plan to claim, for its use, a 100 foot wide strip of land through their farm. This farm family has no interest in having their land ripped up to accommodate a 36” natural gas pipeline. Clearly, they have not warmed to the idea of living in close proximity to a pipeline that could be a threat to their safety; or worse, a potential ticking time bomb.
So, Specta Energy is suing this family. The company’s understanding of “balance” is clear. Give Spectra what it wants and there is balance. Refuse the energy company and they will turn your well-ordered life into a chaotic mess.
If you think this energy company isn’t serious about their version of thriving and their brand of balance, they have not only sued this one Colquitt County farm family, they have sued “another dozen landowners". Another dozen!
A bull is rampaging in a china shop.
Spectrabusters is actively opposing the Sabal Trail Gas Pipeline. Please support this organization in their efforts as they oppose the pipeline, proposed to run from Alabama to Florida. This pipeline would feed an FPL power plant in Florida for no benefit to citizens of Alabama or Georgia, while tearing a 100 foot wide right of way through all three states.
Links:
Sabal Trail Transmission Documents Filed with Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC)
Sign the Petition to Stop the Sabal Trail Pipeline
Hazards of the Sabal Trail Pipeline
Organizations that DO NOT Support the Sabal Trail Pipeline
Natural Gas Pipeline Accidents, Leaks and Explosions (just a few):
National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) - Pipeline Accident Report Since 1996
Secret Lists Hide Natural Gas High Risk Service Areas
List of Natural Gas Pipeline Explosions 2000 - 2011
2000 Ten New Mexico Campers Die in Natural Gas Pipeline Blast
2010 Natural Gas Pipeline Explosion in San Bruno, California (Video)
San Bruno Residents Remember Those Killed in Pipeline Explosion
PG & E Fined 1.4 Billion in Penalties for 2010 Gas Pipeline Explosion
2011 Allentown, Pennsylvania Pipeline Explosion Revives Natural Gas Worries
2012 West Virginia Gas Explosion Burns Homes, Shuts Down I-77
2013 Sedalia Explosion: Gas Pipeline Ruptures in Missouri
2014 Norwestern Minnesota Gas Pipeline Explosion: "It was just hell on earth."
2014 Explosion on Kentucky Natural Gas Pipeline Under Investigation
2015 Mississippi Natural Gas Pipeline Explosion Picked Up By Radar
2015 Pipeline Explodes in West Virginia, Sending Fireball Shooting Hundreds of Feet in the Air
2015 Natural Gas Blast Destroys Home, Injures 15 in New Jersey
Copyright 2015, Curtis and Norma Beaird. All rights reserved.
