The News Leader
by Clyde Henkel

I’ve been a supporter of this project and I have attended nearly every briefing or hearing in Augusta County over the last two years where this project was discussed. The statements made by a writer of a letter to your paper that this project will harm the environment has been proven inaccurate by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission who stated in their draft environmental statement that this project will have little impact on the environment. This pipeline will be done safely with the latest technology. Several pipelines already run in karst terrain and one major pipeline has existed in Augusta County for decades now, nearly unnoticed.

Further, the recent letter in your paper stated this project is for exportation. This project is to be used throughout Virginia and North Carolina for energy generation. The route of this project goes to Chesapeake to service Virginia Natural Gas who desperately needs more access to natural gas for their customers. This project is not to be used for exportation. Gas used for exportation would need to be directed to Dominion’s export facility in Maryland, not Hampton Roads. 

In all that I have learned from the meetings I’ve attended, this project is needed to meet growing energy production demand as coal usage continues to decline. This project will produce jobs right here in Augusta County and create tax revenue that can be used in our community. Virginians will benefit by more affordable, reliable and cleaner energy by this project. 

CLYDE HENKEL
Waynesboro