The same Monday that
the Dougherty County Commission passed a resolution against the Sabal Trail pipeline,


Valdosta Today editorialized against it.

S.E. (Chip) Harp, Valdosta Today Editor, 27 October 2014,

Proposed Pipeline will Disrupt south Georgia, but for What Gain?,

SASSER — The proposed (and likely) Sabal Trail natural gas
pipeline will impact most residents in south Georgia, bringing
additional natural gas supplies to Florida “while increasing
the diversity and reliability of the region’s energy-delivery system
and positively impacting the economy in the Southeast, specifically
Alabama, Georgia and Florida”, per Sabal Trail reports.

However, as has been seen already, it will also have a negative
impact on many area businesses, landowners and residents, especially
agricultural-based businesses. One of those affected is produce and
ag-tourism business Mark’s Melon Patch in Sasser, northwest of
Albany.

Terrell County resident and native Mark Daniel has been operating
this produce and ag-tourism business for over 33 years. His stand
and business has grown to be a fixture off busy US Highway 82 over
the decades. His business not only offers fresh local produce for
sale, but other family-based activities which he says would be
disrupted by the proposed pipeline. The proposed route would be
built along his property, where he had hopes of expanding his
business.

“It’s something that’s very near and dear to me. And the
threat of a pipeline coming through here and messing that dream of
mine up is heartbreaking to me,” Daniel told WALB in an
interview.

There’s much more in that editorial, which is well worth reading.
And also this, after regurgitating Sabal Trail’s PR about natural
gas being “clean” (which it isn’t: methane is a far worse greenhouse gas
than CO2) and about lower prices (which will actually go up if
exports start, such as through those three already-authorized LNG
export operations right where this pipeline would go in Florida):

It seems to be another case of the collective good superseding the
individual’s needs. That’s why the Federal Government has
overarching authority to make these decisions through FERC.

Well, if you consider profit for a few utilities and fossil fuel companies
to be “the collective good”. And that’s the Orwellian doublespeak
Spectra and FPL and Williams Co. would like to have us buy,
in exchange for local hazards to our water, air, economy,
environment, and personal safety.

-jsq