Georgia has joined the anti-Palmetto Pipeline movement.
Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal told WRDW-TV Thursday during a visit to Augusta that he plans to fight the proposed 360-mile fuel pipeline that could carry a capacity of 167,000 barrels of fuel per day.
"We're going to object from the state level, and I think that process will then go to the courts for a judge to decide," Deal told the station. "We've been in consultation with the head of DOT, and (are in) agreement that the state is going to disagree to that pipeline."
The proposed pipeline would run from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, through Belton, South Carolina, then through North Augusta, cross the Savannah River into Georgia and run along the river to Jacksonville, Florida.
The company that proposed the pipeline, Kinder Morgan, received approval May 1 from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, on rates, terms and conditions of service for the pipeline.
The Commission regulates, among other things, the transmission and sale of gas for resale in interstate commerce and the transportation of oil by pipeline in interstate commerce.
It also is responsible for approving the siting and abandonment of interstate gas pipelines and storage facilities.
"We are pleased to receive ... approval, which allows us to advance the development of this important infrastructure project supporting distribution of domestically produced petroleum products," said Kinder Morgan Products Pipelines President Ron McClain in a press release. "This milestone brings the company one step closer to its goal of delivering low-cost additional supplies of refined petroleum products and denatured fuel ethanol to pipeline-constrained markets in the southeastern United States."
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission approval is another step forward for Kinder Morgan in constructing the Palmetto Pipeline - which is facing tough opposition in the CSRA and North Augusta, in addition to many other areas and counties in Georgia.
The Savannah Riverkeeper group also formed a formal opposition coalition, known as Push Back the Pipeline. More information on the group can be found at www.pushbackthepipeline.com.
On May 2, three men who told police they were surveying land for the pipeline were arrested for trespassing in Screven County, Georgia.
Kinder Morgan will participate in a meeting regarding the pipeline in North Augusta at 6 p.m. Thursday, May 21, at the North Augusta Community Center, 495 Brookside Ave., North Augusta.
Read WRDW's full story on Deal's comments at bit.ly/1JS7z4c.