A Tennessee Congressman wants the Biden Administration to stop a proposed pipeline that would run through Mississippi.
Congressman Steve Cohen wrote a letter to President Biden urging that he direct the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to rescind its recently issued nationwide permit to Valero Energy and All Plains American for its proposed Byhalia Connection Pipeline. Cohen stated, “This pipeline cuts through historic, predominantly Black neighborhoods and crosses over the Memphis Sand Aquifer which could potentially irreparably contaminate the City of Memphis’ source of drinking water.”
According to the Byhalia Connection, the pipeline will run nearly 45 miles from Memphis to Marshall County, Mississippi. The Byhalia Connection pipeline system will connect two existing crude oil pipelines in the area:
- The Diamond Pipeline, which provides the Valero Memphis Refinery with crude oil to produce gasoline and jet fuels used by people in eight states throughout this region, including Tennessee and Mississippi
- The Capline Pipeline, which runs between central Illinois and the U.S. Gulf Coast
The website also states that the Byhalia Connection is owned by Byhalia Pipeline LLC, an entity that is part of a joint venture between a subsidiary of Plains All American Pipeline, L.P. (Plains) and a subsidiary of Valero, and will be constructed and operated by a subsidiary of Plains. Protecting the environment and being a good neighbor to residents in Memphis and northwest Mississippi is a top priority for Byhalia Pipeline.
Recently, some big names have joined Cohen in his opposition to the pipeline.
Former Vice President Al Gore:
Memphians & fellow Tennesseans: Let’s stand together against the #Byhalia pipeline, which would further increase global warming pollution while threatening Black neighborhoods and drinking water sources. I urge you to learn more tonight: https://t.co/q6pZCEKewv
— Al Gore (@algore) February 15, 2021
Actor Danny Glover:
Environmental racism, classism and injustice is happening right now in Memphis. @Byhalia Pipeline in Memphis, TN is threatening the predominantly Black city’s drinking water for their crude oil pipeline. Tell @MEM_Council to Oppose the @Byhalia Pipeline w/ @MemphisCAP_org
— Danny Glover (@mrdannyglover) February 22, 2021
Actress Jane Fonda:
A resilient predominantly Black community in Memphis is fighting the multi-billion-dollar crude oil Byhalia Pipeline. The company seeks to profit $7B in yearly revenue while risking the drinking water. Please sign! https://t.co/XoZJdNXIoy@MemphisCAP_org
— Jane Seymour Fonda (@Janefonda) February 20, 2021
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers responded to Congressman Cohen in a letter on February 5th, following his request for information on the Byhalia Pipeline connection. Click here to read the contents of the letter.
Today, the Memphis City Council is considering a resolution that would oppose the Byhalia Connection Pipeline
