Fuel pipeline proposed from Florida to South Carolina

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GREENVILLE (AP) — A Texas company is working on plans to build a fuel pipeline from Florida to South Carolina. Kinder Morgan of Houston said it hopes to begin construction of the $1 billion pipeline next spring, The Greenville News reported. The proposal calls for the 360-mile pipeline to run from Jacksonville, Florida, to a 900,000 barrel tank farm in Belton. Tithe Palmetto Pipeline Project would run underground through 100 miles and five counties in South Carolina - Aiken, Edgefield, McCormick and Abbeville, before ending in Anderson. Kinder Morgan recently met with Anderson County officials about the project. It has obtained permission from the South Carolina Department of Transportation to survey property near Interstate 520 in Aiken County. Anderson County administrator Rusty Burns said he thinks much of the pipeline would use existing right of way easements in his county. The company is talking with homeowners about allowing the pipeline to run through their property, Kinder Morgan spokeswoman Melissa Ruiz said.. The pipeline could carry up to 167,000 barrels of gasoline, diesel or ethanol each day. It could begin operations in 2017. It's expected to create about 30 permanent jobs in South Carolina.