Stop the Proposed Palmetto Pipeline

From the Stop the Palmetto Pipeline website:

Palmetto Pipeline Unnecessary Delivers for Georgia

KM:

Kinder Morgan has a 60-Year history of doing business in Georgia, operates more than 3,000 miles of pipelines across 85 counties, and employs 330 in state.

FACT:

“Founded in February 1997,” Kinder Morgan has only existed for 18 years. http://www.kindermorgan.com/PAGES/ABOUT_US/KMI_HISTORY.ASPX

KM:

Pipeline Delivery is the safest method of transporting petroleum products

FACT:

Dec. 2014, at least 360,000 gallons of gasoline leaked into the ground from Kinder Morgan’s Plantation Pipeline, Belton, SC. http://www.phmsa.dot.gov/

As of April 30, 2015, 176,901 gallons recovered, leaving approximately 183,000 gallons unrecovered. http://savannahnow.com/news/2015-04-30/kinder-morgan-pipeline-leak

In 2005, Kinder Morgan spilled 70,000 gallons of fuel into Oakland’s inner harbor, and then 300 gallons into the Donner Lake watershed in Sierra Nevada. And in 2007 the City of San Diego sued Kinder Morgan for falsifying records of the clean-up of a fuel leak that contaminated the aquifer (Ex.-4 at pg. 10). Deerfield, MA Board of Health Decision Documents

KM:

The Palmetto Pipeline will take 30,000 tractor-trailer round trips-the equivalent of 8.6 million miles and 5.5 million barrels of fuel–off Georgia highways.

FACT:

These trucks will still be required to deliver fuel to retail stations.  http://www.refinerlink.com

KM:

Product transported by pipeline reaches its destination 99.99 percent of the time.

FACT:

COMPARED TO WHAT? Belton 360,000+ gallons spilled in Belton, SC with approximately 183,000+ gallons unrecovered.
http://savannahnow.com/news/2015-04-30/kinder-morgan-pipeline-leak

KM:

Pipeline will add 25,000 barrels per day to the constrained Savannah market. An estimated 50 to 60 percent of products transported by pipeline will reach consumers in the Augusta and Savannah areas.

FACT:

Georgia’s fuel demand peaked in 2002. It has fallen 14% since 2002; this trend is projected to continue until 2040.
http://www.eia.gov

KM:

Pipeline should reduce transportation costs of motor fuel by at least 25%

FACT:

“SHOULD” ¬– WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?—? Kinder Morgan REFUSES to DISCLOSE exact number. Other pipelines do reveal their tariff, which is the same for all customers. When KM executive, has been asked directly about tariff and transportation costs, he has stated the federal regulations prohibit his answering. THERE ARE NO FEDERAL REGULATIONS THAT PROHIBIT KM FROM DISCLOSING THIS VITAL INFORMATION TO THE PUBLIC. IN FACT, THIS IS A KEY PIECE OF THE INFORMATION THEY CONTINUE TO HIDE FROM THE PUBLIC WITH DOUBLE TALK.

KM:

Pipeline will reduce dependence on foreign oil and will ensure our area has multiple energy delivery options now and in the future.

FACT:

U.S. is a net exporter of refined petroleum and has been since 2011. From 2002 to 2014 exports of refined petroleum grew by 228%. http://www.eia.gov

Pipeline will actually reduce the energy delivery options to Georgia.

KM:

By 2040, population along the pipeline route will grow by approx. 43%. This 23-county area’s gasoline usage will grow to 72,000 barrels a day. This pipeline will lay groundwork to serving Georgia’s growing population.

FACT:

Since 2002, Georgia’s population has grown by 18% while its petroleum demand has decreased by 14%. http://www.census.gov/ and http://www.eia.gov

KM:

Approximately 88% of the proposed pipeline route is co-located next to existing infrastructure¬–power lines, pipelines, roadways and railways.

FACT:

These will be new easements, most of which are on private land; e.g., 396 landowners over 12 Georgia counties. http://m.savannahnow.com/news/2015-04-11/

KM:

To date, over 80% of landowners impacted by the palmetto pipeline have agreed to have their property surveyed.

FACT:

100% of letters Kinder Morgan sent to landowners DID NOT INFORM them of their option to decline.  (Letter Sample: pushbackthepipeline.com)

Palmetto Pipeline surveyors charged with trespassing Morris News Service,Wednesday, May 6, 2015 7:31 PM – the Augusta Chronicle

“Kinder Morgan was aware it did not have permission to do survey work, Sanders said.

Screven County Sheriff Mike Kile said he made the decision to issue the warrant.

 “They entered without permission,” he said. “You can’t do that on other people’s property if they tell you to stay out.”

The surveyors, all out-of-state residents, told Helms they were following their company’s directives and based on GPS coordinates they were provided. Warned they could be charged with criminal trespass, the supervisor, Horn, said they had finished but needed to retrieve equipment.

“Mr. Horn then made the comment ‘you can’t stop the pipeline, they have enough money to push the pipeline through the county,’” the incident report reads.

KM:

All impacted landowners will be paid fair market value for access to their property.

FACT:

Many landowners do not want to give access at any price. For some, it is not about the money. (Public Record: GA DOT Hearings April 21 and May 7, 2015)

KM:

Proposed pipeline will be completely underground and away from the coast.

FACT:

Kinder Morgan’s proposal crosses all 5 of Georgia’s river basins; e.g., Savannah, Ogeechee, Altamaha, Satilla, and St. Mary’s Rivers. These rivers drain into all coastal wetlands, marshes, and the Atlantic Ocean. It also crosses the far eastern section of the Okefenokee Watershed. http://savannahnow.com/2015-04-15/pipeline-draft-maps-released