FERC holds meeting to discuss Sabal Trail pipeline

VALDOSTA, GA (WALB) - South Georgians continue to voice their opinions about the natural gas pipeline proposed to run through parts of South Georgia.

Representatives with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission were in Valdosta Tuesday night to hear public comment on the pipeline being proposed by Sabal Trail. The representatives will use the public comment to help compile an economic impact statement, which has to be done before the pipeline project can be approved.

One of the main concerns of people at the meeting was the affect the pipeline would have on their land.

"I just lost a contract on the sale of part of my property because of this pipeline," said Larry Rodgers, a Lowndes County landowner.

"Why is it set in stone that you pay one price forever for the value of the property they use when they're gonna be makin' profits on it forever...the landowner has to continue to pay property taxes. So, I don't understand why they can't share the profits," continued Rodgers.

Sabal Trail is using a third party to help the Federal Energy Regulatory commission conduct the environmental survey required in order to complete the environmental impact statement.

One concerned landowner, Rick Hastings, questioned whether any information that the third party collected and presented to Sabal Trail would be truthful and unbiased.

"What truly, honestly, is there to keep a corporation paying a consultant not to say exactly and do exactly what the corporation paying their bills wants them to say," Hastings asked.

Another concerned landowner questioned whether the public's comment would actually affect whether the pipeline is ultimately built or not.

"Do we really have a voice? Can we really stop y'all," said the concerned landowner.

The next meeting is at 7 p.m. Wednesday night in Moultrie.

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