Sarina Shamblin
-
Sign Our Petition to FERC
Williams is expected to file the 7(c) application with our federal regulator this Fall with a target in-service date by the end of 2027 for its proposed Southeast Supply Enhancement project. This is a substantial expansion of the existing Transco pipeline’s system that would run from Virginia to Alabama, moving up to 1.5 billion cubic feet of methane gas per day.
In anticipation of the upcoming permitting process, help us gather support for the project by signing the below petition. We will submit this to FERC and other decision makers when appropriate.
Dear [Official]:
I stand with Pipeliners Local 798 in support of the Southeast Supply Enhancement project, a critical expansion of the natural gas infrastructure network in Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and Alabama, and the first large-scale takeaway expansion to be announced in the area since the long-delayed Mountain Valley Pipeline was cleared.
This system enhancement will help meet skyrocketing demands for affordable, reliable energy by moving more than 1.5 billion cubic feet of natural gas per day to its delivery network, a significant capacity increase that will be enough to power five or six new large, combined cycle plants and will ultimately move this domestically sourced gas to millions of American homes and businesses.
Williams has long demonstrated its commitment to ensure thorough consultation and cooperation with state, local and federal regulatory agencies, as well as community stakeholders throughout the permitting process. This is of particular importance for large scale projects such as this and it includes working with community members and industry experts to identify potential environmental issues or concerns and then to potentially modify the project design to further minimize possible impacts.
Below are just a few specific reasons why I support this project:
- The expansion will add enough natural gas pipeline capacity to meet the needs of 8.6 million homes, enabling Transco to meet the growing natural gas-fired power generation, commercial, residential, and industrial demand in the mid-Atlantic and southeast United States.
- The increase in pipeline capacity will encourage Southern utilities to build new gas plants, opening the region to a generational investment in natural gas while strengthening grid reliability and driving down energy costs at a time when many families are struggling to handle their monthly bills.
- More urgently, the project will create good jobs for skilled industry craftsmen in the region, many of whom are long-time members of Pipeliners Local 798, as well as provide an economic boost to communities along the route.
The Southeast Supply Enhancement project is poised to be a critical component of the region's energy infrastructure network, supporting good jobs, increasing access to domestically sourced natural gas and generating needed economic benefits. This is why I urge FERC and other agencies to issue necessary permits to ensure it remains on schedule.
Signed,
**By signing this petition, I agree to share my name on Pipeliners Local 798's submission(s) to federal and state decision makers in support of the Southeast Supply Enhancement project.**
-
Sarina Shamblin signed MVP Southgate Pipeline Petition via David Butterworth 2024-01-13 13:32:35 -0600
Sign our Project Support Petition
In December 2023, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission approved a three-year extension for Mountain Valley Pipeline to build a planned offshoot of its main natural gas pipeline - MVP Southgate - that would run from Pittsylvania County to North Carolina. Before construction on the extension can start, FERC needs to issue a notice to proceed after confirming the project has received all state and federal permits it needs. Two state permits, an air permit from Virginia and a water permit from North Carolina, are still outstanding.
Thousands of jobs are on the line with Southgate! Sign the below petition that we will submit to the appropriate decision makers during upcoming comment periods.
Dear [Official]:
I join Pipeliners Local 798 in urging FERC and other decision makers to approve Mountain Valley’s proposed Southgate Pipeline Project. This is an approximate $468 million investment in the economic and energy future of Virginia and North Carolina that will put local craftsmen to work, many of whom are highly-trained members of Local 798.
The Southgate Pipeline Project is critical to meet the substantial and growing need for natural gas in the region. PSNC Energy, a local distribution company serving central North Carolina, has already signed a long-term contract to receive natural gas from the pipeline in order to help serve its customers, including approximately 100,000 new natural gas customers it has added over the past decade. Delay in project approval would be particularly devastating to these customers.
I support the swift approval of Southgate due to the project’s following benefits:
- inject $68 million directly into Virginia and $113 million into North Carolina’s economy;
- support 570 jobs in Virginia and 1,130 jobs in North Carolina, many belonging to Local 798 members;
- generate $10.4 million in tax revenue across the two states during construction, and, once operational, it will generate an estimated $4.6 million across the project areas;
- help meet the growing need for natural gas in the region by transporting 375M cf/day to markets that need reliable energy; including the approximate 100,000 new natural gas customers served by PSNC Energy.
Safety and environmental integrity are central priorities at Local 798, which is why we do not offer support lightly. FERC staff stated that the project's potential adverse environmental impacts would be reduced to “less-than-significant levels" through implementation of its recommendations. The Pipeline Project team has demonstrated a commitment to this goal by making 191 route adjustments in response to feedback collected during the pre-filing process.
These alteration were made to protect streams, wetlands and cultural resources, as well as to minimize – or avoid – potential impacts to sensitive areas. Key changes included the reduction in the temporary right-of-way width at wetland and waterbody crossings, and a proposal based on recommendations from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to cross Cascade Creek, Wolf Island Creek and Deep Creek via conventional bore.
The pipeline will also be monitored 24 hours a day, 365 days a year using sophisticated computerized systems and around-the-clock personnel. This regular monitoring will ensure pipeline integrity.
This project will help make a reliable supply of natural gas available for residents in the region, create thousands of jobs for the local workforce and generate millions of dollars in tax revenue, all while respecting the environment. This is why I ask that you issue necessary approvals for the MVP Southgate Project without delay.
Signed,
[Names below]
*PLEASE NOTE: Local 798 submitted this comment below to FERC in September 2019 during its comment period for the Southgate Project's Environmental Impact Statement. We may submit your signature to state and federal regulatory bodies, as well as elected officials to support the project.
-
Sign Our Petition to the Army Corps
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced in March 2023 that it extended its environmental review of Enbridge Energy's Line 5 Straits Tunnel Project. The project's Environmental Impact Statement was previously set to be finished by late this year but now will be issued no earlier than Spring 2025.
While Local 798 members are supportive of a comprehensive permitting process that ensures opportunity for review and comment, we are disappointed with the extended timeline on this project's already thorough environmental impact analysis. Join us in sending a message to the Army Corps in support of a swift review so construction can finally move forward.
Dear Secretary:
I stand with Pipeliners Local 798 in expressing disappointment in the U.S. Army Corps's decision to extend its environmental review of Enbridge Energy's Line 5 Straits Tunnel Project. The permitting process for Line 5 already ensured extensive opportunity for review and comment, through which Enbridge repeatedly demonstrated a commitment to maintaining the highest level of safety and environmental responsibility.
Enbridge's proactive dedication to safety includes diligent 24/7 monitoring of the Straits crossing, regular inspections and operating the line at less than 25 percent of its maximum design capabilities to minimize stress on the pipeline steel and enhance safety. In November 2017, the company formally entered into an agreement with the state of Michigan outlining seven actions Enbridge was taking to protect the state’s water bodies within the project footprint. The following year, Enbridge announced another agreement with the state of Michigan that put in place enhanced inspection and operations protocols for the project. In the years that followed, Enbridge has continued to work closely with landowners, tribal leaders and safety experts to ensure the safest and most efficient pipeline operation.
There are several reasons why I believe the Line 5 Straits Tunnel Project deserves swift approval from the Army Corps and other decision makers, including:
- Enbridge has a proactive inspection program to monitor the fitness of Line 5, including evaluating the pipe’s interior inch by inch every five years using in-line inspection tools that provide detail on par with MRIs in the medical industry;
- All products that enter the pipeline are inspected and treated to prevent corrosion, and the system is operated at a low pressure to minimize stress on the pipe – all in an effort to protect the pipeline and the Straits;
- Over the past several years, Enbridge has paid tens of millions of dollars in property taxes in the state for its energy infrastructure projects, which has been invested in schools, roads and bridges and other important public services;
- The Line 5 Straits Tunnel Project will create good jobs for the local workforce, many of whom include Local 798 members.
The permitting process for Line 5 already ensured more than adequate opportunity for review and comment, through which Enbridge has demonstrated a clear plan with the project to help ensure an uninterrupted supply of reliable, affordable energy to Michigan and the region. This is why I ask the Army Corps to efficiently complete this review and approve necessary permits without any further delay.
Signed,
[Names Below]
**Local 798 may submit this petition to state and federal regulators and other decision makers to support Line 5.**
-
Sign Our Willow Project Support Petition
The Willow Master Development Plan Project (Willow Project) is a critical energy project in the North Slope of Alaska from ConocoPhillips that is expected to generate billions of dollars in local, state and federal revenue and support 2,000 construction jobs and 300 permanent jobs – many going to Local 798 members.
In March 2023, the Biden Administration approved the project - and a federal judge upheld the approval later that year. The project likely faces legal challenges, however, that would stall construction. Sign our petition below supporting this important project as it faces more milestones ahead.
I commend the Biden Administration for showing its support for the Willow Master Development Plan Project (Willow Project), and I urge state and federal decision makers to follow suit to ensure swift approval of this critical project that will generate much-needed economic activity in Alaska, supply affordable, domestic energy and create good-paying jobs for the area workforce.
The project’s approval comes after years of analysis, significant public input, completion of the environmental impact statement (EIS) and biological opinion (BiOp) and consultation with cooperating agencies such as the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Throughout every stage, the Willow Project has demonstrated its commitment to transparency, public involvement and environmental safety. The comment period for the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and Supplement Draft EIS, for example, generated more than 31,000 submissions during comment periods and influenced ConocoPhillips to amend its application to modify its project design, including a change to incorporate a new module delivery option. In the end, the project’s final EIS, which consists of seven volumes and over 3,6000 pages, took more than two years and some six million dollars to draft, evaluate and finalize.
Project development would generate thousands of jobs for area craftsmen and produce substantial revenue for the federal government, State of Alaska, North Slope Borough and communities in the NPR-A.
I support the Willow Project due to the following key benefits:
- The infrastructure will generate a potential $10 billion dollars in federal, state and local economic activity over its lifetime;
- Project construction is expected to support 2,000 jobs, and operation will require approximately 300 permanent jobs, many of which will go to Local 798 members;
- The project is designed to produce approximately 586 million barrels of oil over its lifetime, including up to 160,000 barrels a day, helping to reduce U.S. dependence on foreign oil;
- The project has undergone rigorous review of potential environmental and ecological impacts. The Army Corps, in particular, found the Willow Project would “not cause significant” negative impacts.
The Biden Administration took the right step with its court filing in support of the Willow Project, and I urge other decision makers to issue necessary permits in a timely manner.
Signed,
[Names below]
-
Sign Our Petition Supporting Ridgeline
Enbridge is working with the Tennessee Valley Authority to design, construct and operate the Ridgeline Expansion Project, an expansion of Enbridge’s existing East Tennessee Natural Gas (ETNG) system. Ultimately, this would provide affordable and domestically sourced natural gas for the utility’s customers as the system continues to transition to cleaner energy.
Pending the receipt of all necessary permits, construction would begin in 2025 with a target in-service date of fall 2026. Sign our below petition that we will submit to respective decision makers as this project moves through the permitting process.
Dear [Secretary]:
I am proud to support Enbridge and the Tennessee Valley Authority as they develop the Ridgeline Expansion Project, a critical investment into the energy and economic future of Tennessee and the surrounding region.
Project construction will support good jobs for local craftsmen, many going to Pipeliners Local 798 members. Once complete, this expansion will provide Tennesseans with a lower-carbon, cleaner-burning energy source.
I support the Ridgeline Expansion Project for the following key reasons:
- The project is designed to meet the rising demand for natural gas, providing affordable and cleaner energy for the utility’s customers;
- The majority of the proposed route would be located within the existing system's right-of-way, which minimizes impacts to landowners and the environment;
- I understand the quality of work that Pipeliners Local 798 members and other regional craftsmen will put into this project to ensure its efficiency, safety and reliability. Local 798 workers have delivered on energy infrastructure projects like this for decades.
Simply put, projects like the Ridgeline Expansion Project are necessary to meet the rising demand for natural gas. This clean-burning energy currently fuels one-third of electric power generation and heats approximately half of all U.S. homes. This project will help more families and businesses in Tennessee realize the full advantages of this abundantly available resource.
I encourage FERC to issue necessary permits without delay, allowing the Ridgeline Expansion Project to meet its proposed in-service date in 2026.
Signed,
[Names below]
-
Sarina Shamblin signed Carbon Capture and Storage Support Petition via Pipeliners Local 798 2023-07-27 12:35:20 -0500
Sign Our Petition Supporting CCS Projects
Despite the significant environmental and economic benefits that Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) infrastructure projects generate, activists aim to halt their development and kill the jobs they provide, many belonging to Local 798 members.
Stand up for our livelihoods! Sign our petition below that we will submit to decision makers in support of CCS projects across the country.
Dear [Official]:
As an energy consumer concerned about our nation’s economic future and the state of our environment, I am proud to support the investment in and development of Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) infrastructure projects.
CCS projects receive bipartisan support precisely because they represent a common-sense solution to the challenge of “building back better” as we emerge from a pandemic-induced economic downturn, and as we continue to address the growing urgency to lower carbon emissions.
Given the energy limitations and high cost of infrastructure associated with “clean energy” alternatives, such as solar and wind power, it is difficult to imagine how federal climate objectives (including reaching net-zero carbon emissions by 2050) are met without widespread carbon capture and sequestration.
These projects also generate substantial economic activity, as many require installation of new infrastructure specifically to capture the CO2 emissions before they are emitted into the atmosphere. Summit Carbon Solutions’ Midwest Carbon Express Project, for example, is anticipated to support up to 17,000 jobs during construction alone and will install new infrastructure in 31 ethanol plants across five states, indirectly supporting jobs for workers in other industries across dozens of communities.
I support Carbon Capture and Storage pipeline projects for the following reasons:
- We must substantially increase carbon capture and storage capacity to help reach emission reduction goals; a July report from the U.S. Council on Environmental Quality found that a CCS industry large enough to meet the “net zero” emissions goal by 2050 would require 68,000 miles of new CO2 pipelines. This simply cannot happen unless we invest in meaningful change in our nation’s energy infrastructure now;
- CCS infrastructure is already making a significant difference in emissions reductions. One facility in Wyoming, for example, captures enough carbon dioxide each day to equate to removing 1.5 million cars from the roadways;
- CCS projects generate critical economic activity and support good-paying jobs for our nation's industry craftsmen, many of whom are Local 798 members;
- Carbon capture technology carries a remarkably safe track record. It has successfully been in use since the 1990s, and there are roughly 5,000 miles of CO2 pipeline and 40 ethanol plants using this technology in the U.S.
For these reasons, I urge decision makers to join me in support of Carbon Capture and Storage infrastructure projects – for our nation’s immediate and long-term future.
Signed
Sarina Shamblin 259sc