Roanoke Times 
By Karen Harbert, Sean McGarvey, Barry DuVal and Matt Yonka

Harbert is president and CEO of the U.S. Chamber’s Global Energy Institute. McGarvey is president, Building and Construction Trades, AFL-CIO. DuVal is president and CEO of the Virginia Chamber of Commerce. Yonka is president, Virginia State Building and Construction Trades Council.

America is fortunate to have an abundant supply of energy. Over the past decade, technology and innovation have led to a dramatic increase in our energy resources. This abundant supply of energy is vital to America’s —and Virginia’s — economy. But without the necessary infrastructure, we can’t take advantage of these resources. That’s where the Atlantic Coast Pipeline — a proposed 600-mile natural gas pipeline from West Virginia to North Carolina — comes in.

In addition to the 8,800 jobs and $1.4 billion in economic activity that the Atlantic Coast Pipeline’s construction will generate in Virginia, the pipeline will deliver clean, low-cost energy to underserved regions of the Commonwealth that will unlock the potential for manufacturing and investment. These include 1,300 jobs in Virginia to support the pipeline’s operation, but that is just a start. Having lower-cost, reliable energy sources available to more communities means new opportunities for economic development throughout the Commonwealth

Unfortunately, some are seeking to block pipelines in a misguided effort to stop the use of natural gas. Don’t be fooled by their “keep it in the ground” tactics. The reality is that the Atlantic Coast Pipeline will be the safest, most reliable way to transport natural gas in the Mid-Atlantic.

We’ve now reached a critical point in the approval process for the project. The partnership between Dominion Energy, Duke Energy, Piedmont Natural Gas, and Southern Company Gas has been under review for more than three years. At least 100,000 pages of evidence have been made available in the environmental review process. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has approved the project, and the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has taken great care to ensure that water quality is protected.

Before DEQ can grant its final approval, the State’s Water Control Board is reviewing the project. The Board and DEQ should act without delay to grant the necessary permits once their review is complete. Any further delay in the permitting process means lost opportunities for Virginians.

The Atlantic Coast Pipeline will save Virginia consumers more than $243 million a year in lower electricity costs between 2019 and 2038. It will help keep the lights on and the power running in areas where demand is exceeding capacity. It’s time to finish the review process, and allow the pipeline to be built. Virginia’s families, workers, and businesses are waiting.