Two Natural Gas Pipeline Companies are seeking Federal Approval to build nearly 300 miles of New Methane Gas Pipelines across 22 Counties in Georgia, expanding what Critics call a "Fossil Fuel Superhighway." On Tuesday, a Group of Clean Energy and Community Organizations formally told Federal Regulators they Oppose the Plan to Expand the Gas Pipeline through Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi.
The Southern Environmental Law Center (SELC) submitted the Filing on behalf of Groups: "Georgia Interfaith Power and Light", the "Southern Alliance for Clean Energy", and others, saying the Project would Lock the Region into Decades of Dirty, Harmful, and Expensive Fossil Fuels, according to a Press Release from the SELC.
The Proposed Pipeline Expansion by Southern Natural Gas and Elba Express, both Subsidiaries of Kinder Morgan, is intended to meet Rising Demand for Natural Gas in the Southeast, especially as the Southeast is seeing a Wave-of-Development from Fast-Growing Industries, such as Data Centers. But the Opposition argues the Project is Unnecessary and that the Environmental Impacts are Serious and Under-Analyzed.
"Not only does this proposed expansion endanger critical ecosystems and pose serious safety risks to communities along its path, it also locks residents into a costly, polluting system that will affect southern states like Georgia for decades to come." said Codi Norred, Executive Director of Georgia Interfaith Power & Light.
The Project would cross more than 1,000 Bodies-of-Water, including 11 Rivers and more than 100 Sub-Watersheds, and Construction methods such as Open-Cut Stream Crossings could cause Long-Term Harm to Rivers, Streams, Fish Habitats and Endangered Species, according to the Release from the SELC. Air Pollution is expected to Increase too, due to Upgrades at 14 Compressor Stations, resulting in Nitrogen Dioxide and Ozone Emissions along with other Harmful Pollutants known to pose Risks to Human Health.
"Compressor stations produce pollutants that are well known to cause harm to human health" the Filing to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) reads. "For example, nitrogen dioxide can aggravate respiratory diseases such as asthma, and volatile organic compounds (‘VOCs') can cause irritation to the eyes, nose, and throat, can cause difficulty breathing and nausea, and can damage the central nervous system."
Those Challenging the Project Argue the Public Health concerns are especially Risky to Low-Income and Historically Marginalized Communities, because the Project could Exposing them to Air and Water Pollution from Pipeline Construction and Compressor Station Emissions.
Volatile Organic Compounds and Nitrogen Dioxide together Produce Ozone, which can cause Respiratory issues, Decreased Lung Function and Inflammation of Airways, according to the Filing. Opponents also say the Project is Financially Risky and could Stick the Public with the Cost of Unnecessary Infrastructure. The Groups argue the Pipeline is Not needed and that Ratepayers will ultimately Bear the Cost when Unneeded Gas Infrastructure is Built.
"Where a proposed project has extreme and adverse impacts on the local community, economy, ecology, and the environment - and results in the forced taking of private property - the amount of evidence necessary to establish project need and benefits is even further heightened," the Filing reads. "The wider public ultimately pays the price when the Commission allows construction of unneeded new capacity." In the formal filing, critics also argue that most of the pipeline's gas is already claimed by affiliates of the companies building it - raising concerns about Insider Deals that Serve Corporate Profits rather than Public Need.
"Altogether, Southern Company affiliates and Oglethorpe have contracted for a majority (63%) of the capacity available from the SSE4 Project," the Filing reads. "Given the interrelated parties involved and the opportunity for self-dealing, the Commission should apply heightened scrutiny to the Companies' application in order to protect customers."
They also Question the Claim that Rising Energy Demand Justifies the Project, pointing out that Forecasts particularly around Data Center growth are Highly uncertain. The Project would be Paid-For by Customers of Dominion Energy, Southern Company, Oglethorpe Power, and Atlanta Gas Light, according to the SELC Release. This Project, called SSE4, is part of a Bigger proposed Methane Gas Buildout happening in the South. Across Six Southern States, Utilities are Planning nearly 44,000 megawatts of New Gas-Fired capacity by 2038.
"Utilities are doubling down on dirty fossil fuels for an unprecedented amount of energy they say is needed to serve hungry data centers swarming to the South," the Release reads. "This generational investment in climate warming fossil fuels, including methane gas, leaves utility bill payers across the South open to enormous, painful spikes in utility bills." Public Comment Opportunities will Arise as the Application Progresses, according to the SELC.
For the Project to Move Forward, FERC's Five Commissioners must Vote to Approve it after Public Comment Periods have Closed, with a Decision expected by Mid to late 2025. If Approved, the Pipeline would still need Additional State Level Environmental Permits before Construction, which is Targeted to Begin in late 2026.
NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker
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