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DEL.ICIO.USThe pipeline company answers — and there’s a map
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
If you’re a House member in the state Capitol, one of your bigger decisions this session will be which way to vote on S.B. 173, the bill that Colonial Pipeline Co. says it needs to put a third petroleum line from Baton Rouge, La., to Powder Springs in Cobb County.
The bill that would remove the eminent domain requirements the Legislature slapped on in 1995 to punish the company for misbehavior.
You saw our earlier post on an anti-pipeline mailer that went out last week, directed at House Speaker Glenn Richardson of Paulding County.
Colonial answered this morning with a packet of its own — aimed at legislators, but also shared with us. Most helpfully, the company provided a map. But Colonial also included its talking points for the coming debate, and the letter the firm sent to House members.
“If this bill passes, federal and state oversight will more than adequately protect citizens’ property rights and…protect our state’s environment. Indeed, Colonial Pipeline’s ability to condemn property will remain the most restricted of any utility in Georgia,” writes Norm Szydlowski, Colonial president and CEO.
Digest, and enjoy.
Comments
Commenting is now closed for this entry.
By David
April 10, 2007 1:31 PM | Link to this
what was the misbehavior that CP got “slapped” for in 1995? Anyone?
By jim d
April 10, 2007 1:55 PM | Link to this
Beats me, but lets ask ourselves if we want to continue to drive on the eastern seaboard since colonials lines feed through here to feed the rest of the east coast.
Could the pipelines increase pump pressures and move more product through existing lines? well yeah maybe, but then we risk more blow outs and an even larger negative effect on the environment. I say let them build it.
By PauldingGirl
April 10, 2007 4:21 PM | Link to this
Let them build it?
Fine. But why do they have to completely gut Georgia’s emminent domain laws to do it?
It’s the legislative vote I’m against. and the slimy way those environmental pollutants are going about it. They’ve greased some palms, and it’s not right.
And the guy who asks if we want to to continue to drive? Puh-leeze. The initial problem with this stinking-diaper-of-a-political-boondoggle is that Colonial never went to ANYONE and said there was a problem. They just proposed new legislation.
By SamIsMe
April 10, 2007 4:22 PM | Link to this
Let’s face the truth: Glenn Richardson is a dangerous, dangerous politician.
He’s not out for his constituents.
He’s not even out for the Big Oil lobbyists who are trying so hard to buy his support.
He’s out for himself and himself only. Oh, and his AGL lobbyist/mistress. But mostly himself.
By FessUp
April 10, 2007 4:24 PM | Link to this
Norm Szydlowski, Colonial president and CEO, should be ashamed.
“Oh, we’ll just let FEDERAL laws protect Georgia homeowners. It’s okay to gut private property rights on a STATE level. Look, the Goodyear Blimp!”
Jerk.
By AintMisbehavin
April 10, 2007 4:25 PM | Link to this
Colonial Pipeline got “slapped” for many things, including a very serious leak that caused a “gasoline vapor cloud” near Athens not too long ago.
This company is extremely dangerous. SB 173 needs to be killed in committee.
By NormSzydlowski
April 10, 2007 4:28 PM | Link to this
Norm Szydlowski - president of COLONIAL PIPELINE - is now giving legal advice to Georgia homeowners?
Now I’ve seen everything.
Norm, do me a favor. You pay attention to how your company handles it’s pipelines. I’ll pay attention to who I trust to condemn my land and snatch it out from under me all the while convincing Georgia lawmakers it’s “really no big deal.”
How do these people sleep at night?
By GetAClue
April 10, 2007 4:29 PM | Link to this
Colonial Pipeline should be fined for such dirty, underhanded political tricks.
And the AJC writers should be slapped for letting them get away with that kind of stunt without publicly calling them out on it.
Nice job shilling for Big Oil, guys.
By ProtectPauldingHomeowners
April 10, 2007 4:32 PM | Link to this
I’m calling my state representative and state senator right now and making sure they know Paulding homeowners are against this bill.
There’s no need for it, and it’s clearly dangerous. SB 173 needs to be stopped before it’s too late.
Remember privatizing Atlanta water? Remember deregulating the natural gas industry?
We’ve got a chance to stop this before it’s too late. Homeowners in the Atlanta area need to take a careful look at this map. This bill doesn’t JUST affect where they want to steal THIS property and put down more pipelines. It affects ALL homeowners. The legislation is written very broadly, and it only benefits big oil companies.
By CobbDem
April 10, 2007 4:33 PM | Link to this
So, is Glenn Richardson voting FOR or AGAINST Georgia homeowners?
Does he really think he can get elected by p** off Paulding and Cobb County landowners?
He’s got to vote against this thing.
By GetAClue
April 10, 2007 4:48 PM | Link to this
This whole thing stinks to high heaven.
Colonial Pipeline wasn’t satisfied making billions of dollars in profits.
They wanted the very laws protecting Georgia homeowners against unreasonable snatch and grab scams wiped off the books.
Disgusting.
I hope Norm Szydlowski is wracked by guilt for what his company has done to the Georgia environment.
And every Georgia lawmaker that votes to let this bill out of committee: You need to know that we’re watching. This will be a graded vote by every environmental group and every private property rights group and every conservative political group in Georgia.
Your vote on SB 173 matters. It matters to every one of us. Probably more than you know.