August 8, 2007                               Kristen French 

Last night, August 7, DHEC held an informal public meeting to answer questions from the public regarding Kinder Morgan’s proposed expansion of its Shipyard Creek Terminal importing capacity.  There was a good turnout, approximately 80-100 concerned citizens attended, and many of those present asked questions.  Ample time was given to all who wanted ask questions, and the DHEC moderator, Nancy Whittle, did a nice job ensuring that all questions were addressed, although we weren’t always satisfied with the answers.

July 31, 2007 

Kristen French

On Tuesday, August 7, 2007, at 6:30pm, DHEC will hold an informal public hearing regarding Kinder Morgan's proposed expansion permits for the Kinder Morgan Shipyard Creek facility.  The meeting HAS BEEN RELOCATED:

New Location:		Urban Alliance Studio (Storehouse 7)

Address:		The Noisette Company, LLC

 			1360 Truxtun Avenue, Suite 200

			North Charleston, SC 29405

			(843)554-2274

Time:			6:30pm

The information to be covered will include updates on:

July 25, 2007

Kristen French

When Kinder Morgan called on Project SeaHawk to investigate what it called “an unknown subject taking photos of the ship at the Kinder Morgan Plant” last week, it abused the offices of this local pilot project of Homeland Security coordination.  This assertion is based on the fact that Ken Bonerigo (the “unknown subject”) has been taking pictures and video of the Kinder Morgan Shipyard Creek Terminal for months, and this is well known to personnel at Kinder Morgan.  Like others at the Cooper River Marina, Ken has repeatedly called Kinder Morgan to complain when coal and/or cement dust has drifted to the Marina from the Terminal, and he has been quite open about his video documentation.  For Kinder Morgan to assert that they were worried about the security of their facility based on these activities is disingenuous at best and at worst, a blatant attempt at intimidation.

 Kristen French, July 21, 2007

Cement Dust (Ken Bonerigo)

The Charleston County Sheriff's office handled the boarding of Ken Bonerigo's boat at the Cooper River Marina on Wednesday, July 18.  Deputy Adcock and another officer from the Sheriff's office were first on the scene.  During their initial investigation of the incident report submitted by Kinder Morgan, they treated Ken in a professional manner.  After their initial investigation, they were ready to release Ken but received word that they should hold him for Homeland Security.   According to Lt. Connelly, the Sheriff's office also handles Homeland Security for the Charleston area.  The Sheriff's office/Homeland Security was accompanied by representatives from customs and North Charleston (Police Department, we think).  Ken was informed on Friday that the Sheriff's office did not need Ken's permission to board his vessel.  While the Lt. informed Ken at that time that he is permitted to videotape Kinder Morgan now that his intentions are known, he was unwilling to provide legal backing, such as a law or statute, to justify the fact that he warned Ken to stop filming on Wednesday.  In addition, the Coast Guard has just recently informed Ken that there is no statute restricting filming around the Kinder Morgan Shipyard Creek Terminal.  As they put it, there is no 'exclusion zone.'