Update 2018-02-22: For leaks on any interstate natural gas pipeline (FGT, SONAT, Gulfstream, Sabal Trail, etc.) call PHMSA National Response Center (NRC) at 1-800-424-8802.
Update 2017-06-15: Sabal Trail’s gas is turned on, but you can still watch them like a hawk and report violations.
Sabal Trail (and FSC and Hillabee Expansion Project) are racing to try to finish by their May 2017 in-service date.
They may be making mistakes.
No silt fence, no endangered wildlife signs, no permit, water withdrawal, water dumping?
Those could be environmental, construction, safety, or other potential violations, and here are some addresses you can report them to.
And call your local TV, newspaper, radio reporter. Call in to talk radio. Call and write your city council, county commission, state legislators, and members of Congress. Yes, many of them probably took fossil fuel campaign contributions, but they’re still politicians, and every person they actually hear from counts for a hundred. Ask them to support FERC reform. Georgians, please sign this petition to Georgia legislators to demand Congress rein in the rogue agency, FERC. Anywhere you are, ask Virginia529, the country’s largest college-savings fund, to divest its Spectra Energy stock. If you want to go to an event, see Florida Against Sabal Trail, @protectFAST.
Pick your state: Florida, Georgia, or Alabama.
Update 2016-12-14: Reorganized by state, with a simple method for each state.
You can join this fun and work by becoming a WWALS member today!
Florida
Simple Florida method by Laura Parks Catlow:
If You have visual access to any pipeline construction sites you as a citizen are able to observe record and report violations on sable trail transmission pipeline construction sites. The easiest violation to spot is the lack of the black plastic screening and/or orange netting that is required in construction area once ground is broken. You can also easily check for any breach of the 100-foot right of way that they have been granted. You need to record the day and time and location of your observation. Take photographs and video. Gather your information in a simple letter stating your observations with details you do not have to send pictures or videos only reference that you have them and will make them available if asked. that’s it very easy anyone can do it. REFERENCE
PERMIT: FERC Docket Number CP15-17-000
Florida DEP: russell.simpson@dep.state.fl.us
FERC: John.Perconom@ferc.gov
FERC Enforcement Hotline: toll-free at 1-888-889-8030 or 202-502-8390, hotline@ferc.gov
Sabal Trail: Ryan Childs cimarronenvironmental@msm.com
State of Florida
Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP)
Lisa Prather, Project Manager
Florida Department of Environmental Protection
3319 Maguire Blvd., Suite 232
Orlando, Florida 3803
lisa.prather@dep.fl.us
Russell Simpson
russell.simpson@dep.state.fl.us
FDEP for Sabal Trail:
FDEP silently issued a Clean Water Act Section 401 permit 22 February 2016 as part of a Consolidated Environmental Resource Permit and Recommended Intent to Grant Sovereignty Submerged Lands Authorization. This is the permit WWALS fought for four months in WWALS v Sabal Trail & FDEP.
Permit No.: 0328333-001
Sabal Trail goes through several FDEP offices, so consult FDEP’s Water Compliance Assurance Program (WCAP) web page for addresses.
FDEP for Florida Southeast Connection:
Permit No.: 49-324813-002
Christian N. White Environmental Specialist
Compliance Assurance Program
Florida Department of Environmental Protection
3301 Gun Club Road, MSC 7210
West Palm Beach, FL 33406
Federal Government for Florida
USACESAJ:
USACE Application Number: SAJ-2013-03030 (FL)
U.S.A.C.E.,
Jacksonville District Reg. Div.
Jacksonville Permits Section
Attn: Mr. Mark R. Evans
Post Office Box 4970
Jacksonville,Florida 32232
(904) 232-2028
Mark.R.Evans@saj02.usace.army.mil
Enforcement:
Reporting a Potential Unauthorized Activity
The Corps relies heavily on the public to report unauthorized activities. If you suspect an unauthorized activity has occurred or is underway, you may report your observations by completing the Violation Reporting Form. This form can be e-mailed to SAJ-RD-Enforcement@usace.army.mil. All reports will be sent to the appropriate office for review.
Brooke Hall
Enforcement Project Manager
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Jacksonville District
Regulatory Division
904-232-1061
Brooke.A.Hall@usace.army.mil
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC)
FERC Docket Number CP15-17
Sarah McKinley
Sarah.McKinley@ferc.gov
1-888-889-8030
John Peconom
John.Peconom@ferc.gov
See also more FERC detail.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for Florida
Report environmental violations.
Georgia
Simple Georgia method: report when, where, and what, with pictures attached, or say you have pictures and can send them on request:
USACE Application Number: SAS-2013-00942
lisa.myler@dnr.ga.gov
Tom.Fowler@dnr.ga.gov
joe.freeman@dnr.state.ga.us
rangerhotline@dnr.ga.gov
terry.c.kobs@usace.army.mil
FERC Docket Number: CP15-17
Sarah.McKinley@ferc.gov
John.Perconom@ferc.gov
FERC Enforcement Hotline: toll-free at 1-888-889-8030 or 202-502-8390, hotline@ferc.gov
State of Georgia
GA Department of Natural Resources
Sabal Trail Clean Water Act Section 401 permit from Georgia.
Call 1-800-241-4113 or *DNR (AT&T Mobility Customers)
7 days a week / 24 hours a day.Send an email directly to Ranger Hotline to report poachers and polluters. Please provide a contact number so the Ranger could contact you if more information is needed. All information is strictly confidential and you can remain anonymous.
GA-EPD issued a Clean Water Act Section 401 Water Quality Permit 13 June 2016.
Georgia Department of Natural Resources
Environmental Protection Division
Watershed Protection Branch
Attn: James A. (Jac) Capp – Branch Chief
2 Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive
Atlanta, Georgia 30334
404-463-4911
James.Capp@dnr.state.ga.us
Lisa Myler
District Manager
Southwest District
GA DNR EPD WPD
(404) 463-1511
lisa.myler@dnr.ga.gov
Tommy W. Fowler
Program Manager
SW District EPD
229-430-4144 office
229-430-4259 fax
Tom.Fowler@dnr.ga.gov
Joe Freeman
GA DNR EPD WPD
joe.freeman@dnr.state.ga.us
rangerhotline@dnr.ga.gov
Federal Government for Georgia
USACESAS:
USACE Application Number: SAS-2013-00942 (GA),
Commander, U.S.A.C.E.,
Savannah District
Attn: Mr. Terry C. Kobs
1104 N. Westover Blvd. Unit 9
Albany, Georgia 31707
(229) 430-8566
1-800-448-2402
terry.c.kobs@usace.army.mil
Enforcement, with links to several violation reporting forms.
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC)
FERC Docket Number CP15-17
Sarah McKinley
Sarah.McKinley@ferc.gov
1-888-889-8030
John Peconom
John.Peconom@ferc.gov
See also more FERC detail.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for Georgia
Report environmental violations.
Alabama
Simple Alabama method: report when, where, and what, with pictures attached, or say you have pictures and can send them on request:
USACE Application Number: SAM-2014-00655-JSC
Submit a Complaint
James S. Cherry II <cesampa@usace.army.mil>
FERC Docket Number: CP15-17
Sarah.McKinley@ferc.gov
John.Peconom@ferc.gov
FERC Enforcement Hotline: toll-free at 1-888-889-8030 or 202-502-8390, hotline@ferc.gov
State of Alabama
Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM)
Federal Government for Alabama
USACESAM:
USACE Application Number: SAM-2014-00655-JSC (AL),
U.S.A.C.E.
Mobile District Reg. Div.
Montgomery Field Office
Attn: Mr. James S. Cherry II
605 Maple Street
Building 1429 Room 105
Maxwell AFB, AL 36112-6017
(334) 953-2172
cesampa@usace.army.mil
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC)
FERC Docket Number CP15-17
Sarah McKinley
Sarah.McKinley@ferc.gov
1-888-889-8030
John Peconom
John.Peconom@ferc.gov
See also more FERC detail.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for Alabama
Report environmental violations.
U.S. Government
More detail about federal agencies.
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC):
FERC issued the main permit for Sabal Trail, a Certificate of Convenience and Necessity, in February 2016. That permit is what gives the pipeline companies federal eminent domain. That FERC order also said Sabal Trail will monitor the Suwannee River. Why should anybody believe Sabal Trail’s monitoring? And what about after construction, like that Spectra pipeline that blew up under the Arkansas River last May?
FERC Docket Numbers:
- CP15-16 (Transco Hillabee Expansion Project across Alabama)
- CP15-17 (Sabal Trail Transmission from Alabama through Georgia and Florida)
- CP14-554 (Florida Southeast Connection from Orlando to Martin County, Florida)
You can send an ecommment to FERC. Or call or write them.
John Peconom
Environmental Project Manager
Office of Energy Projects
FERC
888 First Street N.E.
Washington, D.C. 20426
(202) 502-6352
John.Peconom@ferc.gov
Ann F. Miles, Director
Office of Energy Projects
FERC
888 First Street, N.E.
Washington, D.C. 20426
202-502-8700
Ann.Miles@ferc.gov
Norman C. Bay, Chairman
Cheryl A. LaFleur, Commissioner
Colette D. Honorable, Commissioner
FERC
888 First Street, N.E.
Washington, D.C. 20426
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE):
The Corps issued its own Clean Water Act Section 404 permits. Three Corps offices were involved. Since it’s not always clear which has jurisdiction over what, and the Alabama office appeared to be the lead office, it’s best to copy all three.
USACE Application Numbers:
SAM-2014-00655-JSC (AL),
SAS-2013-00942 (GA),
SAJ-2013-03030 (FL)
Applicants:
Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Company, LLC, Attn: Ms. Karen Olson;
Sabal Trail Transmission, LLC, Attn Mr. George McLachlan;
Florida Southeast Connection, LLC, Attn: Mr. Randall LaBauve
Alabama:
U.S.A.C.E.
Mobile District Reg. Div.
Montgomery Field Office
Attn: Mr. James S. Cherry II
605 Maple Street
Building 1429 Room 105
Maxwell AFB, AL 36112-6017
(334) 953-2172
cesampa@usace.army.mil
Georgia:
Commander, U.S.A.C.E.,
Savannah District
Attn: Mr. Terry C. Kobs
1104 N. Westover Blvd. Unit 9
Albany, Georgia 31707
(229) 430-8566
1-800-448-2402
terry.c.kobs@usace.army.mil
Enforcement, with links to several violation reporting forms.
Florida:
U.S.A.C.E.,
Jacksonville District Reg. Div.
Jacksonville Permits Section
Attn: Mr. Mark R. Evans
Post Office Box 4970
Jacksonville,Florida 32232
(904) 232-2028
Mark.R.Evans@saj02.usace.army.mil
Enforcement:
Reporting a Potential Unauthorized Activity
The Corps relies heavily on the public to report unauthorized activities. If you suspect an unauthorized activity has occurred or is underway, you may report your observations by completing the Violation Reporting Form. This form can be e-mailed to SAJ-RD-Enforcement@usace.army.mil. All reports will be sent to the appropriate office for review.
Brooke Hall
Enforcement Project Manager
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Jacksonville District
Regulatory Division
904-232-1061
Brooke.A.Hall@usace.army.mil