No coal for Port of Fernandina at this time, says Kinder Morgan

Submitted by Suanne Z. Thamm
Reporter – News Analyst
September 17, 2014 5:48 p.m.

In response to what can only be termed an avalanche of public opposition, Kinder Morgan has notified the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) that it wishes to withdraw its current application to receive and handle coal at the Kinder Morgan Nassau Terminal, Port of Fernandina.

In a letter dated September 15, 2014, to John D. Phillips of FDEP’s Northeast District, Rodney Palmer, Director of Operations for the Southeast Region of Kinder Morgan Terminals wrote that this project had been intended to benefit “all community stakeholders.”  He reiterated points that Kinder Morgan had raised in meetings and discussions with FDEP:

• It would have in fact reduced rail traffic within the community by shifting rail traffic away from the historic shopping area to a designated port truck traffic route only 1800 feet long.  Our long term plan was to eliminate the on road haul completely with off road delivery to our intended customer.  No city roads would have been involved.
• It would have improved the economic viability of the port and community.  The port is presently hurting for economically sustainable business.  Local industry and the port business in turn have contributed to the local Fernandina Beach community with substantial tax dollars.
• We currently provide 70 local jobs for the community.  This project could have increased jobs in the town and county where unemployment is currently at 15%.  Research shows these jobs typically pay twice the wage of service industry jobs commonly found in the local community.

Palmer also wrote, “Kinder Morgan believes that permitting this project under current air rules is valid, and the previously requested throughput would have made this operation a true minor source with any potential emissions controlled through Best Practices.  Since we do not presently have a customer for the proposed project, there is no need to pursue it at this time.”

Fernandina Beach Mayor Ed Boner began the Regular Meeting of the Fernandina Beach City Commission (FBCC) by informing the audience that the Kinder Morgan request had been officially withdrawn.  He cited the city’s previous transmission to FDEP asking for more time for public comment on the issue.  He also spoke of the involvement of both State Representative Janet Adkins and State Senator Aaron Bean in working to delay approval of the permit request pending more public discussion.  Boner reminded the audience that the city of Fernandina Beach was never in the loop for approval or disapproval of Kinder Morgan’s request.

During Public Input, two local citizens spoke to the coal permit request and other issues involving the port.  Joann Bean said that while she was glad that the coal permit is no longer being considered, she had other causes for concern in the port’s draft Master Plan.  She told commissioners, “I hope you will keep fighting for our island.  We don’t need more trucks and dredging.”

City Manager Joe Gerrity stressed that the Master Plan, currently under review, must conform to the city’s Comprehensive Plan.

Chuck Hall, a long time local activist regarding port matters, said that he appreciated the city’s stand on the coal issue.  “But,” he added, “we are dealing with an entity [Kinder Morgan] that has grand designs for its future.  I’m not sure it’s a good fit for our community.”

Commissioner Johnny Miller thanked local resident and candidate for Group 2 Commission seat Roy Smith for bringing the pending permit to the FBCC’s attention.  Miller said, “Moving coal is dirty business, and this was dirty business.”  He asked that the responsibility for reading Legal Notices in the local newspapers be written into a city employee’s job description so that the city would avoid possible future blind-siding on matters like this.

Kinder Morgan’s withdrawal of its permit request has saved the Ocean Highway and Port Administration from having to officially request such action.  At their September Port Authority meeting, port commissioners expressed their displeasure at not having been informed of the request before Kinder Morgan initiated it.  Commissioners informed the audience at that meeting that they learned about the proposed action at the same time the public did.

Editor’s Note: Suanne Z. Thamm is a native of Chautauqua County, NY, who moved to Fernandina Beach from Alexandria,VA, in 1994. As a long time city resident and city watcher, she provides interesting insight into the many issues that impact our city. We are grateful for Suanne’s many contributions to the Fernandina Observer.