The Weston Democrat
by Dusty Metzgar

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has recently released a final assessment of the environmental impact of the proposed Atlantic Coast Pipeline (ACP).

The environmental report released recently provides a clear path for the final approval of the Atlantic Coast Pipeline this fall. 

The report concludes that the project can be built safely and with minimal long-term impacts to the environment,” Leslie Hartz, Dominion Energy’s Vice President, engineering and construction said in a statement released Friday, July 21. 

Hartz went on to say, “this report is the culmination of one of the most thorough and exhaustive environmental reviews that has ever been performed for a project of this scope.” 

The FERC report does mention that the pipeline would result in “some adverse effects,” particularly on steep slopes, vegetation, and water bodies, as well as the habitats of endangered bats, mussels and fish. FERC does go on to note that, with proper mitigation techniques, “most, but not all of these impacts, would be reduced to less-than-significant levels.” 

The purposed pipeline, is set to run from Harrison County, through Lewis County, and end in Robeson County, North Carolina. The $5.5 billion pipeline will have a capacity of $1.5 billion cubic feet per day. 

Attempts where made to contact Dominion Energy, but were not returned by presstime. Dominion Energy’s Managing Director for West Virginia, Bob Orndorff, indicated to MetroNews on Monday, July 25, that pending final approval, the pipeline could begin construction in the fall. 

He also indicated that the company would not rule out the use of eminent domain in potential property disputes with landowners, but noted it was a last resort.

Read the full story in The Weston Democrat