Former Vice President Al Gore voiced his opposition to the Byhalia Connection and put Memphis elected officials on notice during a rally against the pipeline Sunday afternoon.
A few hundred people were on hand for the event at Alonzo Weaver Park in South Memphis, which featured speeches from Gore, U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen, community activists and landowners that would be affected by the pipeline’s path.
The proposed crude oil pipeline, a joint venture from Plains All American and Valero Energy, would span 49 miles. On its current route, it would be constructed through predominately Black communities in South Memphis and over a Memphis Light, Gas & Water wellfield drawing water from the Memphis Sands aquifer.