ACP proponents tout economic benefits of the pipeline running through Northampton and Halifax counties

The Daily Herald
by John Dixon

In an effort to economically stimulate the area, many leaders in the Roanoke Valley have thrown their support behind Dominion Energy and Duke Energy’s Atlantic Coast Pipeline.

The pipeline is expected to generate an estimated 925 jobs through operation of the pipeline throughout North Carolina, with 18 of those jobs in Northampton County.

Aaron Ruby, media relations manager for Dominion, pointed out even the temporary jobs generated by the pipeline construction should not be discounted saying that “having a good paying job for two years working on this project is very important for [the workers] and should not be overlooked.”

Another selling point for the pipeline, Ruby cites, is the tax revenue generated by the pipeline. Halifax County is projected to receive almost $800,000 in annual tax revenue while Northampton County is expected to receive $1.6 million.

“The permanent jobs will be in the maintenance and operation of the pipeline, which for Halifax County will be small,” said Cathy Scott, executive director of the Halifax County Economic Development Commission. “However, local contractors will be used for grading and clearing, Enfield Timber manufactures timber mats that will be used in pipeline construction, contractors will be staying in our local hotels – there will be significant economic benefit during construction of the pipeline.”

In addition to jobs and revenue created by the pipeline itself, the project is expected to provide natural gas infrastructure necessary to entice corporations and manufacturers to develop in the area.

“The pipeline will affect natural gas pricing for firm, uninterrupted service,” Scott said.

Officials say having a pipeline running through Halifax and Northampton counties will offer a greater supply of natural gas that can be more easily accessed by businesses in the area. The possibility of this economic stimulus has won the project the support of Halifax Horizons and the Lake Gaston Regional Chamber of Commerce, both of which drafted resolutions demonstrating their support. Local politicians have also expressed their support including state Rep. Michael Wray, D-Gaston, and state Sen. Erica Smith-Ingram, D-Northampton.

“I am a firm supporter of the ACP because I believe that is the best energy mix for jobs, the environment and the viability of our future,” Smith-Ingram said. “I promote clean energy that comes with natural gas, wind and solar. I am primarily most impressed with the jobs and the economic boost.”

On the other hand, opponents to the pipeline project are consistent in their belief that a ‘flawed methodology, is in use when highlighting the benefits of the pipeline project.

“The socioeconomic analysis greatly underestimates the disproportionate impact on people of color in several counties,” said Hope Taylor, executive director of Clean Water N.C., who was in the area Wednesday.

She said, “It’s important to remember that it would cost a municipality or industry from $500,000 to $1 million to tap into the pipeline, in addition to cost of the connecting pipeline. As a result, it’s extremely unlikely that just having the pipeline pass through Northampton County will be an incentive to major industry to locate there.”

Along with the economic benefits proponents tout, Ruby wished to assuage any fears in the community concerning the safety of the pipeline.

“The safety of our employees and fellow community members is our company’s top priority,” he said.

The ACP will be made of half-inch thick steel with internal and external epoxy coatings underneath three to five feet of ground cover. Prior to becoming active, the entire length of the pipeline will be flushed incrementally with water at one and a half times the maximum operating pressure to ensure the strength of the pipeline.

Welds on the pipe will be examined with X-ray equipment and any imperfect welds will be scrapped and replaced. Once the pipeline is operational, it will be monitored at all times from a gas control center, which will keep track of pressure, flow and temperature of the gas.

In the event of an emergency, emergency shutoff valves can be accessed remotely. Additionally, routine patrols of the pipeline will be made both aerially and on foot and interior inspections will be conducted every few years.

The company’s relationship with landowners was described as an integral part of the pipeline process, Ruby said.

“Landowners play an important role in the process and make an important contribution,” he said. “We treat them fairly and with the respect they deserve.”

Dominion maintains close contact with all of the landowners they come into contact with and have adjusted the route of the pipeline nearly 300 times in response to surveys and landowner concerns, Ruby said. Once the pipeline is installed and the ground cover replaced, the land is restored to its original state aside from trees, the roots of which would interfere with the pipeline. Even crops and livestock can be kept on the land atop the pipeline, he said.