WCTV on the pipeline

Spectra said “more rural” “lessens stakeholder impact”. What do you think about that, rural landowners whose land Spectra wants? County Chairman Bill Slaughter said the most positive thing he’s said so far, “we’re going to be looking out for the citizens of Lowndes County”, about this natural gas pipeline potentially ripping a 100 foot right of way through this county and many others in Georgia, Florida, and Alabama for the benefit of Florida Power and Light. And Valdosta, you’re not for sure out of the pipeline path: remember FERC could choose that Option B through Valdosta that is Spectra’s alternate route.

Option B by WCTV

James Buechele wrote for WCTV yesterday, Pipeline Would Cut Through Florida & Georgia,

Andrea Grover, spokesperson for the Sabal Trail Transmission released this statement.

“Sabal Trail Transmission has chosen a proposed pipeline route that is more rural and lessens stakeholder impact. Our original routing was closer to Valdosta. In addition, the company will do extensive civil, environmental and archaeological surveys to further minimize the pipeline’s impact. We are actively meeting with property owners along the route to learn more about their property and to educate them about the pipeline proposal. This is a long cooperative process with construction expected to begin in May of 2016.”

I guess the citizens who spoke Tuesday got Bill’s attention:

Chairman Bill Slaughter of the Lowndes County commission says resident’s concerns are being listened to locally despite the federal government’s involvement.

“Bottom line is we’re going to be looking out for the citizens of Lowndes County.”

We re going to be looking out for the citizens of Lowndes County --Bill Slaughter, Lowndes County Chairman

Dr. Noll makes a good point but it turns out to be not quite correct:

Eminent domain --Michael G. Noll, VSU Ass. Prof. of Geography VSU associate professor of Geography, Michael Noll, says federal jurisdiction could be used to get the pipeline where the companies need it to go.

“[Eminent Domain] has given them basically the right to build a gas pipeline anyway they want, with or without consent of the landowners.”

More later on eminent domain.

Here’s the WCTV video:

The reporter is James Buechele, james.buechele at wctv.tv.

James Buechele, WCTV reporter

-jsq