Newsletter #78 – Plains pipeline applying for a redo.

There is a lot happening on Thurs. Feb.28.  Just learned about this one. Plains All American Pipeline  applying for a redo permit to trespass on 37 miles of our ocean front property. Plains scoping meeting in Arroyo Grande. See attachment. If you can’t make it you can email your comments or call the project planner Kathryn Lehr at (805) 568-3560 or klehr@countyofsb.org.  Believe me it all counts!!!!

 

Here is a history of oil spills in California  https://www.biologicaldiversity.org/campaigns/Refugio_oil_spill/index.html  for some ideas for comments.

 

I have also included some bullet points for comments.  Put:   Comment on ‘Plains Pipeline Arroyo Grande Feb 28’   in the subject line.  I will not be able to attend so I am emailing my comment today.  I would also cc your comments to your Supervisor and let them know how you feel.  Show up if you can.  Thursday, February 28, 2019 at 6:00 PM at the South County Regional Center, 800 West Branch St., Arroyo Grande, CA 93420.

Here we go.

Plains Pipeline

Santa Barbara County is the Lead Agency and San Luis Obispo County is a Responsible Agency under the California Environmental Quality Act.  Conditional Use Permits have been submitted to both counties and are being processed.  Once the Environmental Impact Report is complete, hearings in both counties will be noticed and held.  Please see the attached notice for the Scoping Meeting.  During the meeting, the permit process and project description will be discussed in detail.  There will also be time for the public to ask questions.

Update on the AGOF

Arroyo Grande Oil Field

The AG Field is an active, operational field. A time extension for the Phase 4 Expansion has been requested, approved by the Planning Commission and appealed.  The appeal is on hold until the EPA Aquifer Exemption is completed.  The County is waiting for the applicant to submit the EPA documentation.  Once this is submitted we will schedule the appeal for a hearing before the Board of Supervisors.

Questions/comments for the Arroyo Grande scoping meeting Feb. 28

• Why are we even thinking about partnering up with convicted felonies, Plains and Exxon,  after their reckless, careless, deadly disregard for compliance of safety regulations?
•  It is our ocean and marine life, our beach front property and access and enjoyment and tourist income that is at risk and will be devastated when accidents and spills happen.
•  How has Plains and Exxon proven they have changed and we can trust them?   They have lied before about the safety conditions and admitted safety regulations are cost prohibitive. They constantly ask for exemptions and exceptions to safety and health regulations to avoid the high cost of safety compliance.  They have violated and sacrificed safety and health regulations before to avoid cost so why should we believe this time is going to be any different?
• We are bearing all the burden and risk of a contaminated beach and marine life for what?
• What do we get out of the deal?
• How does all this risk even begin to compare to what we get in return? We are not even shareholders. We get squat.
• We live in constant fear of spills and accidents.
• What are the guarantees a spill or accident will not happen?
• Is there a complaint process? Who do we go to and how do we report a spill or suspicious activity? How do we check to see if they are current and in compliance with all regular mandated equipment safety checks, data reporting, monitoring, weekly, monthly, annual reports, OSHA?
• It seems very irresponsible of our elected officials to consider doing business with companies of notable ill repute and a history and reputation for bad faith dealings.
• Pie crust promises, easily made, easily broken is Plain’s and Exxon’s forte and we would be damn fools and fiscally irresponsible and morally corrupt to even consider partnering up with these convicted criminal.
• Oil is DOA and has NO future.
• Our lives and livelihood are not something that can be mitigated.
• We resent and object to our lives and the precious, fragile marine life being regarded as objects that can be mitigated, replaced, substituted or compromised.
• Who speaks for the marine life that will be killed, harmed, disrupted and displaced by a spill?
• We have zero tolerance for spills and accidents.
• Prevention is the only cure and guarantee no harm will come to us.

We’re calling on the state and federal regulators to shutter pipeline technology forever and to decommission coastal oil projects that feed it and endanger our coast and climate. It is the right thing to do for the safety health and well being of all living beings land, sea and air.

Thank you,