In the goal for innovation and expansion, Company Transco and its Southeast Supply Enhancement Project (SSEP) are proposing a new pipeline extension through five states.
However, this expansion has garnered attention and is under review across numerous states. Environmental assessments have led to concerns across multiple factors. The pipeline’s expansion could have implications for air quality and safety for many who are in the path of its project route.
The Pipeline
The SSEP that Transco has big plans for would build on natural gas capacity through compressor stations and add 55 miles of infrastructure via a new pipeline.
This pipeline will run through parts of the states of North Carolina, Virginia, South Carolina, Georgia, and Alabama. While this would help the company meet energy needs, it would also significantly impact the environment and safety.
Air Pollution
After Transco submitted air permit applications to the North Carolina Division of Air Quality (NCDEQ), it found that the compressor stations in Lexington and Mooresville alone would produce nearly 1,000,000 tons of greenhouse gases in one year.
The projected emissions are detailed and include carbon monoxide, volatile organic compounds, sulfure dioxide, fine particulate matter, and other hazardous air pollutants. These pollutants can have a direct impact on public health according to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Those Impacted
The planned route for the pipeline will be an efficient way of transporting natural gas across multiple states. However, the pipeline and the compressor stations will overshadow different communities, including homes, schools, parks, and medical centers.
Many of those in the pipeline’s path are already vulnerable to pollutants in the air and are low-income residents. These areas, according to the EPA’s EJ Screen Tool, are facing disproportionate environmental problems.
Links To Health Concerns
The greenhouse gases that the stations would emit could rise in affected communities by more than three times what they currently are.
EPA and Inside Climate News report that the emissions have been linked to many increased health risks, including asthma, cancer, and cardiovascular disease. However, there are more physical risks if a catastrophic disaster strikes and the pipeline explodes.
The Risks Of The Pipeline
There are risks associated with the pipeline’s proximity to communities, other than just pollution. Natural gas lines carry volatile substances, which means that the pipeline could explode, causing injury or even death to those nearby.
The projected blast zone of the pipeline is well within homes, businesses, and schools. Even if pipeline explosions are infrequent occurrences, when tragedy does happen, they are extremely dangerous.
Methane Leaks
While carbon dioxide is a pressing concern due to health concerns, methane is a greenhouse gas that can be much more potent to the environment.
Both compressor stations and pipelines can leak this gas, and satellite data showcase the true scope of the impact, with it being seen from space in some circumstances. Methane can contribute a large amount to climate change and has not been noticed for months or years.
The Impact On Public Health
Those who already live near compressor stations have reported more cases of illnesses and health concerns. Some areas have recorded much higher levels of benzene, which in extreme cases can be 100 times the federal limit.
Benzene and other chemicals can be directly linked to increased risks of cancer and chronic disease, especially for already vulnerable populations like the elderly, children, and those who already experience respiratory illnesses.
Community Reactions
While the project has been proposed, nothing is set in stone, and local governments and advocacy groups are making their stance known. The project is being resisted by the Midway Town Council, which wants more restrictions around pollution controls and better environmental reviews.
Similar projects in the past have been barred by legislative actions, as concern mounts over the impact of pipelines on public safety and the environment.
The Costs Of Innovation
While the pipeline would increase the supply of natural gas to regions, it would be at a steep cost to communities’ health and safety, as well as overall air quality and the environment.
There is a substantial amount of pushback, showcasing that communities aren’t willing to watch as the cost of innovation leaves those who are vulnerable in dire straits. There must be a balance between the natural gas supply and the safety of countless American residents.
