Citizen dialog for transparent process by the Lowndes Area Knowledge Exchange
From fracking to pipelines –Michael G. Noll
LTE in the VDT today. I added the images and the links. -jsq
Albert Einstein once said that “the world will not be destroyed by
those who do evil, but by those who watch them without doing
anything.” This philosophy can be applied to countless social and
political issues and speaks of the dangers of apathy. Add to this
situation a lack of information and our society is truly in danger,
as companies like SPECTRA Energy not only count on our apathy, but
will also try to hoodwink us.
The Sabal Trail Pipeline currently discussed in our community is
really part of a larger story, a process known as hydraulic
fracturing, or fracking. Fracking allows companies like Halliburton
to free oil and gas trapped in geologic formations, but in a fashion
that is extremely dangerous to our environment (especially
groundwater aquifers) and human health. Exempt from the Clean Air
Act, the Clean Water Act and the Safe Drinking Water Act, fracking
has created countless problems for communities from Pennsylvania to
Texas, and
may soon be coming to north Georgia.
Gas pipelines are not as safe as SPECTRA Energy would have us
believe. Just a few weeks ago
the explosion of a natural gas pipeline in Oklahoma made the headlines,
and thankfully no one was
hurt. Companies like SPECTRA Energy also will not hesitate to claim
eminent domain, giving them the “right” to build a gas pipeline
anywhere they want, with or without the consent of land owners. Add
to this picture the likelihood that property values will be affected
by the construction of a natural gas pipeline, and it is no surprise
that landowners in Lowndes County and elsewhere are extremely
concerned.
LTE in the VDT today. I added the images and the links. -jsqThe Sabal Trail Pipeline currently discussed in our community is really part of a larger story, a process known as hydraulic fracturing, or fracking. Fracking allows companies like Halliburton to free oil and gas trapped in geologic formations, but in a fashion that is extremely dangerous to our environment (especially
groundwater aquifers) and human health. Exempt from the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act and the Safe Drinking Water Act, fracking has created countless problems for communities from Pennsylvania to Texas, and may soon be coming to north Georgia.
of this fracking industry. Now you must know that SPECTRA Energy, the company behind this project, has a recorded history of problems and environmental violations. Since 2006, SPECTRA Energy has made the headlines in a number of states with 21 incidents that have resulted in more than $8 million in property damage. Thus residents of Lowndes County have every reason to be alarmed.
believe. Just a few weeks ago the explosion of a natural gas pipeline in Oklahoma made the headlines, and thankfully no one was hurt. Companies like SPECTRA Energy also will not hesitate to claim eminent domain, giving them the “right” to build a gas pipeline anywhere they want, with or without the consent of land owners. Add to this picture the likelihood that property values will be affected by the construction of a natural gas pipeline, and it is no surprise that landowners in Lowndes County and elsewhere are extremely concerned.
Dr. Michael G. Noll, President
For all those interested in learning more about fracking, here a link to a flyer WACE created earlier this year: http://wiregrass-ace.org/linked/wace%20fracking%20flyer.pdf