Company providing portable toilets for Sabal pipeline project touts safety record

SMITHVILLE, Texas — Cy Quackenbush has no problem with Dougherty County Commissioner Harry James protecting the interests of his constituents. But the co-owner of the Texas-based QP Energy Services oil field sanitation company says he wants to assure James and others in the community that the company is qualified — environmentally and professionally — to properly carry out the duties that come with working along the pathway of Sabal Trail natural gas pipeline.

James called out Sabal Trail officials for taking action that would allow QP Energy Services, owned by partners Quackenbush and J.R. Pickens, to provide waste control along the path of the pipeline. The District 5 commissioner told his colleagues Monday at their business meeting that a number of local companies could have provided portable toilets during construction of the pipeline.

James went on to say that some in the community questioned whether an outside company would dump waste illegally in the rural area along the path of the pipeline.

Quackenbush, after reading James’ comments online at albanyherald.com, responded by assuring local citizens that his company would take no action that circumvents Georgia law.

“We specialize in pipeline work; we’re one of two companies in the state of Texas that does this kind of work,” Quackenbush said. “I understand the commissioner’s concern, but I don’t want anyone in Albany to think that we’ll do anything illegal. That’s the kind of thing that’ll get you a very big fine in Texas, and I’m sure it would in Georgia, too.

“We do things the right way. We’ve got guys who are studying up on Georgia environmental laws, and our trucks are being inspected to assure that they meet standards in the state. We have an A-plus record in environmental and safety (concerns).”

James, meanwhile, said Tuesday he was not singling out QP Energy Services when he questioned Sabal Trail.

“My intention in bringing that up (at the meeting) was not to target them, but to question Sabal Trail about the economic impact of their move,” the commissioner said. “They say they’re going to have a positive economic impact on our community, and with this, which is something minor, they’re bringing in an outside firm.

“I have no doubt that (QP) will be able to meet the requirements here and pass all inspections, but I think a lot of times places like our community are selected by outside companies because they expect relaxed requirements. I’m not saying this company would dump waste in the woods, but I think you can understand our citizens’ concerns. This is not something that’s watched closely, so we’d have no way of knowing if they did.”

Quackenbush and Pickens started QP Energy Services in 2012 and quickly found their services in demand in the oil field sanitation business. The former teachers/coaches met in 2008 and established a friendship that eventually led to the founding of their business.

Quackenbush said QP has worked pipeline-related jobs in Louisiana, Oklahoma, New Mexico and throughout Texas. He said the Sabal Trail contract would be the first the company has worked in Georgia.

“The job we do is very different from dropping onesies and twosies (portable toilets) at job sites,” Quackenbush said. “We don’t do concerts and those kinds of events. Our work is very specialized in the oil business.”

James said the stakes are too high to just stand back and allow Sabal to conduct the pipeline business in the community without scrutiny.

“You have to remember, when we had contaminated water in District 5 it was because of raw sewage being dumped on the grounds at an area where the Floridan aquifer is closest to the surface,” he said. “So this issue definitely raised red flags with me. My goal when I’m at the (commission) table is to make sure everything is covered. With lack of knowledge, we will perish.”

QP Energy Services’ slogan is “We go where you go.”