The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission released a favorable draft environmental impact statement this week, indicating the commission is edging toward approving AES Corp.’s plans for a 94-mile pipeline that would come ashore in Dania Beach. The gas would serve as fuel for power plants.
At public hearings, environmentalists expressed concern that the pipeline would harm the coral reefs off Broward County. Local residents said they feared an explosion. But in the lengthy report released this week, the commission says that the company had found ways to lay the pipeline without harming reefs or other natural resources.
“We have determined that construction and operation of the Ocean Express Pipeline project would result in limited adverse environmental impacts,” the report states.
AES executives could not be reached for comment, but the report is clearly a major step toward getting the controversial pipeline built. The commission had already given the pipeline preliminary approval, pending the completion of the environmental report. While the project also needs approval from the Bahamas, members of that country’s government have spoken favorably of the AES proposal.
Dan Clark of Cry of the Water, a local environmental group, said he wasn’t surprised by the environmental review’s positive conclusions, considering the Bush administration’s strong support for developing natural gas.
“I anticipated they would approve this from all the political pressure,” he said. “I don’t know how we’re going to stop the pipeline.”
Public comments on the draft environmental impact statement will be taken until Aug. 25. They can be sent to Magalie Salas, Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First St., N.E., Room 1A, Washington, D.C. 20426. Anyone filing comments should reference Docket No. CP02-090-001. Comments may also be filed electronically at www.ferc.gov.
A hearing to take public comment will be at 7 p.m. July 28 at the Hollywood Beach Culture and Community Center, 1301 S. Ocean Drive, Hollywood.
David Fleshler, Sun Sentinel
