Opponents of the Atlantic Coast Pipeline got another setback today. As expected, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission approved a final environmental impact statement. That means FERC agrees with the project’s promoters – that there is a real need for the pipeline, and it won’t pollute rivers and streams. Sandy Hausman reports on reaction from environmentalists.
Critics have warned of likely damage to water supplies, and they argue, the pipeline isn’t needed. Greg Buppert, an attorney with the Southern Environmental Law Center, says it would be easier and cheaper to build connections from existing pipelines to Hampton Roads and other communities that need natural gas.
“Using existing infrastructure is going to be cheaper. It’s been paid for by previous rate payers," he explains. "Why wouldn’t we investigate all the options for using the infrastructure we already have in the ground rather than putting $6 billion into a brand new project that’s going to be expensive for everybody?”
In making its decision, the federal commission relied on the developers’ data showing more pipeline capacity is needed. Aaron Ruby speaks for one of them – Dominion Energy.
"This pipeline is urgently needed so that we can meet the growing energy needs of public utilities in Virginia and North Carolina, to generate cleaner electricity, to heat homes and to power local businesses," Ruby says. "The current pipelines that are serving Virginia and North Carolina are fully tapped.”
Opponents, like Tom Hadwin, a retired utility company executive, doubt that claim.
“That’s a general assertion for the ACP which is not born out by Department of Energy Studies. It’s not born out by independent consultant studies.”
He points out that FERC will allow Dominion to earn a 15% rate of return on its investment in the pipeline – money it will get from customers, and since the company intends to finance half of the cost, many banks will also benefit.
At Appalachian Voices, Catherine McCue says opponents are not giving up.
“This pipeline is not a done deal!" she says. " Right now in Virginia, North Carolina and West Virginia are in a process to review the water quality impacts of this project.”
And critics of the pipeline say they’ll press the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to investigate whether the pipeline is necessary. Again, Cat McCue.
“FERC has not fulfilled its obligation to honestly and thoroughly vet whether this pipeline is even needed.”
If opponents are unhappy with FERC’s final decision or if they feel Virginia’s Department of Environmental Quality has failed to adequately protect the state’s rivers and streams, they may take their complaints to federal court.