The Atlantic Coast Pipeline

Atlantic Coast Pipeline Map. Credit: Dominion

President Trump not only fast-tracked the approval of the Keystone and Dakota Access Pipelines, but also the Atlantic Coast Pipeline. 

The Atlantic Coast Pipeline (ACP) is a multi-state natural gas pipeline that will originate in West Virginia and run south through Virginia to eastern North Carolina. The ACP is a joint project between Dominion Resources, Duke Energy and Piedmont Natural Gas. The natural gas, produced by fracking in West Virginia, will be transported to North Carolina and Virginia to serve the energy needs of public utilities for customers.

Here's what you need to know:

• The ACP is slated to be approximately 600 miles long with a connecting pipeline to Hampton Roads, Va. The pipeline will be routed through Native American lands in North Carolina.
• Two shorter laterals will connect to Dominion Virginia Power electric generating facilities in Brunswick and Greensville Counties.
• There will be three compressor stations in West Virginia, central Virginia and North Carolina along the state border.
• 2,900 landowners will be impacted by the pipeline, disproportionately lower-income and communities of color.
• The ACP will run through 16 miles of the George Washington National Forest and 5 miles of the Monongahela National Forest, in addition to crossing more than 1,900 rivers and streams, the Appalachian National Scenic Trail and the Blue Ridge Mountains.
• The pipeline will threaten rare species and communities of people who live in the area, in addition to degrading natural habitats and water quality caused by construction.

Currently the project is under federal review for a revised route that will avoid portions of the GWNF and MNF to protect habitats for endangered animal species. Leslie Hartz, vice president of pipeline construction at Dominion Energy, says Dominion and its partners believes the pipeline “can be built in an environmentally responsible way that protects the public safety and natural resources of our region.”

However, the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) must identify issues and concerns that still need to be addressed in the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s (FERC) Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). FERC is the lead agency that authorizes the construction and operation of interstate natural gas pipelines, but as a cooperating agency, the USFS will make a decision on authorizing the ACP on National Forest Service land.

At the moment, there are several anti-pipeline groups that have filed a motion with FERC to rescind or revise the draft impact statement. Environmental advocates are asking the public to take action. Here’s what you can do:

1. Urge the U.S. Forest Service to protect the George Washington National Forest and Monongahela National Forest;
2. Sign onto the comments from Appalachian Voices to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission; and
3. Get involved with an anti-pipeline group in Virginia, West Virginia, and North Carolina.

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