The state is giving the go-ahead for plans to expand a petroleum pipeline affecting 500 private properties in Georgia. The Environmental Protection Division issued a permit to Colonial Pipeline so they can build a new line from Alabama to Atlanta through Cobb, Paulding, Carroll and Haralson counties.
A 1995 law regulating petroleum pipelines requires companies report to the EPD on how the line’s construction will affect the environment.
EPD geologist Jim Kennedy says his agency is satisfied with Colonial Pipeline’s findings.
Colonial pipelines connect Georgia to refineries on the Gulf Coast and provide 70 percent of the state’s gas, diesel, and other petroleum products.
A 1995 law regulating petroleum pipelines requires companies report to the EPD on how the line’s construction will affect the environment.
EPD geologist Jim Kennedy says his agency is satisfied with Colonial Pipeline’s findings.
“There were, of course, stream crossings that we were interested in and there were some streams that had some listed species that we concerned about and there were some soil areas that could be highly eroded by water and they have described how they’re going to map these things, and how they’re going to deal with any issues that may arise."Kennedy says most of the new line will run parallel to two existing pipelines and less than 10 percent will touch undisturbed land. The EPD approval paves the way for eminent domain allowing Colonial to negotiate with landowners to purchase 25 foot easements.
Colonial pipelines connect Georgia to refineries on the Gulf Coast and provide 70 percent of the state’s gas, diesel, and other petroleum products.
