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Congressman Cohen Praises Success of Grassroots Effort to Stop the Byhalia Connection Pipeline

July 3, 2021

Ends threat of environmental disaster to Memphis drinking water

WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09), a staunch opponent of the Byhalia Connection oil pipeline planned to cross southwest Memphis neighborhoods, who has made the case about its potential harm to the aquifer supplying Memphis with drinking water to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and to both President Biden and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, expressed satisfaction and relief at news that the project has been abandoned.

Congressman Cohen made the following statement:

"I am very pleased this proposed pipeline won't threaten our aquifer and bring what could have been an environmental disaster to Boxtown and the entire South Memphis community. Hats off to Justin Pearson, Kathy Robinson, Councilman Jeff Warren, Save the Aquifer, MCAP and all the community members whose relentless effort brought the issue to national attention and encouraged the Reverend William Barber and former Vice President Al Gore to come to Memphis to engage in this fight. Congratulations to all who made this historic grassroots organizing effort a success."

Congressman Cohen, a senior member of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee which has jurisdiction over pipelines, has led efforts to ask the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to reconsider its approval of a permit for the Byhalia pipeline. He has also asked the Biden Administration to rescind the permit.