Community Voices Raise Safety Concerns Over SSEP Pipeline Project Near Kernersville

In a recent meeting, community members voiced strong opposition to the proposed SSEP pipeline, raising significant concerns about its potential impact on Forsyth County. The discussion highlighted the community's apprehensions regarding economic, safety, and public health implications associated with the pipeline's construction and operation.

One of the primary concerns expressed was the limited economic benefit the pipeline would bring to the county. Community representatives pointed out that the SSEP pipeline is unlikely to generate substantial tax revenue or create permanent jobs within the state. Instead, they fear that the construction jobs will primarily go to out-of-state contractors, leaving local residents without employment opportunities. Additionally, there are worries that property values along the pipeline's right of way could decrease, further straining the county's financial resources.

Safety issues were also a focal point of the discussion. The area already hosts three high-diameter, high-pressure fracked gas pipelines, some of which are over 50 years old. Residents are particularly concerned about the risks posed by the new pipeline crossing these existing lines, especially given the proximity of public schools and medical facilities, including Novant's Kernersville Medical Center and the VA Clinic. The potential for increased safety hazards due to the colocation of multiple pipelines was emphasized, with residents questioning how this would affect the surrounding community in the event of a pipeline failure.

Moreover, the community is dissatisfied with the level of attention given to safety and public health risks by Transco, the company behind the pipeline proposal, and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), which will ultimately decide on the project's approval. Key questions remain unanswered, including the potential impact radius of a pipeline failure and the responsibilities for cleanup and emergency response.

As the community continues to organize and express their concerns, the implications of the SSEP pipeline proposal remain a pressing issue for Forsyth County. The discussions from this meeting underscore the need for thorough consideration of both economic and safety factors as the project moves forward.