Roger Marietta vows continued opposition to proposed Sabal Trail Pipeline

ALBANY — Albany Ward 4 City Commissioner Roger Marietta brought two of his favorite topics — halting construction of a compressor station for the proposed Sabal Trail Pipeline and the city’s recent economic successes — before the Dougherty County Kiwanis Club Monday.

Marietta, who is running for a third four-year term on the city commission, has been at the forefront of residents and landowners opposition to Sabal Trail.

The proposed $3.5 billion natural gas pipeline would transmit as much as 1 billion cubic feet of product a day from central Alabama to central Florida — passing through eight Georgia counties, including Dougherty.

Recent opposition has centered around the proposed construction of a compressor station near the Winterwood and Indian Creek neighborhoods off of West Oak Drive in the southwestern part of the county.

“This thing is still a long way from over,” Marietta said. “I am a big believer in Murphy’s Law, and as a naval officer I was trained to always prepare for the worst case scenario. The compressor station is going to be huge — nearly six stories high — and will run 24/7. It’s also a fact that these things can explode. There are a lot of kids in the Winterwood and Indian Creek area and the noise, potential explosion and the venting of methane gas into the air will be environmental hazards and will bring health and quality of life issues into play.”

Marietta finished his anti-pipeline opening with a plea to the gathered Kiwanis

“The EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) has weighed in against it,” Marietta said. “This is a non-partisan issue. We need people who will stand up for people who will be displaced in Winterwood and Indian Creek.”

Later this month after completing its environmental review, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) will determine whether or not to allow plans for the pipeline to continue. Once FERC issues its final Environmental Impact Statement, which is scheduled in November, a period of judicial review will follow.

If a permit is granted to Sabal Trail, construction is expected to start in May of 2016.

Marietta then shifted gears, moving to campaign mode and listed his priorities and successes of the city.

“The Marine Base is an imperative to us and it is important we don’t take it for granted,”Marietta said. “As a formal naval officer, former Department of the Army GS13 Programmer and Planner and member of the Chamber of Commerce Military Affairs committee, I am in a unique position to help us defend against the BRAC (Base Realignment and Closure Commission.)

“I helped save Forces Command millions of dollars by verifying the true cost factors in Force Modernization and costs of operations.

The Darton Political Science professor pointed to the creation of a Jobs Creation Funds pool which is intended to be used as seed money to spark job growth.

“We have set aside $18.4 million to inspire economic development, Marietta said. “Recently we awarded $200,000 to Thrush Aircraft for plant expansion and the creation of 100 new jobs. This fund continues to grow through MEAG credits and interest.

“We are making progress.”