VALDOSTA, GA – City Councilman Tim Carroll, 5th District, has filed a complaint on behalf of local citizens to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) opposing the Sabal Trail methane gas line. Read his letter to FERC below.
Tim Carroll, Valdosta, GA.
To: Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
I am writing to you on behalf of citizens that live in my city council district. Specifically those that will be negatively impacted by the Sabal Trail methane gas pipeline. Please accept the following reasons why I oppose this project coming through our community.
1) Eminent Domain laws refer to the greater good of the citizens of the community and/or state where this law is being used. I can find no evidence that the citizens of my community will benefit from this pipeline. Therefore, attempts by Sabal Trail to use Georgia Eminent Domain laws are inappropriate and should be rejected.
2) Outside of a one-time easement payment, local land owners receive no compensation for ongoing hazards and loss of property values. Local governments along with the state of Georgia will bear the cost of any emergencies/leaks/explosions that may occur. Again highlighting the fact that there are no benefits to the local community with this project.
3) South Georgia’s greatest resource, the Floridan Aquifer from which we receive all our potable water is held in fragile karst limestone. Potential damage during construction and maintenance of this proposed pipeline could cause pollution and sinkholes. The health, safety and welfare of our local citizens clearly outweighs those of a private company in this matter.
I know of no local citizens or land owners that are in support of this proposed pipeline.
It is my hope that FERC will respect the wishes of our private landowners and citizens. Please deny Sabal Trail’s request to locate a methane gas pipeline through our community.
Respectfully submitted,
Tim Carroll
Councilman, 5th District
City of Valdosta, GA
FERC will be holding a meeting open to the public on Tuesday, March 4, at the Holiday Inn Valdosta Conference Center at 5:00 p.m. in Valdosta, GA.
Source: Spectrabusters Press Release
