The Daily Herald
by Editorial Board

The Atlantic Coast Pipeline will bring jobs to the Roanoke Valley, will provide less expensive natural gas and will help to reduce our nation’s dependence on foreign energy and on higher emission power sources.

For all these reasons, and even a few more, we support the construction of the 600-mile pipeline running right through our part of northeastern North Carolina.

Our support follows that of two area mayors, who joined up with others to back the pipeline. Roanoke Rapids Mayor Emery Doughtie and Garysburg Mayor Roy Bell in a letter of support called the pipeline a vital economic opportunity for the state. Their five reasons mirror ours for giving a thumbs up to the pipeline: jobs, investments, economic development, lower energy bills and cleaner energy.

Along the length of the pipeline it is estimated that more than 17,000 construction and support jobs will be created. Once the pipeline is operational, the permanent job number will range over 2,200 jobs. Opponents argue that the number of jobs will not be as significant as reported. That may be true. If the numbers are not as high as reported, though, there will be jobs and lots of them. And giving people jobs in this Tier 1 area of North Carolina, and helping to restore their dignity, is reason enough for supporting the pipeline.

But, as we mentioned, much more is offered.

Energy security is vital. The pipeline will provide reliable power and heat for generations with the availability of reliable backup power as alternative energies, such as wind and solar become more prevalent. Also, when companies taking ownership of the pipeline, such as Duke and Dominion, find that the need for energy exceeds their systems’ capacities, natural gas from the pipeline will be available.

And finally, natural gas is a cleaner burning fuel for homes and businesses. Having access to the pipeline will help those states, counties and cities along its 600-mile run to transition away from older, higher emission power sources.

We understand that plenty of people will continue to find fault with pipeline construction, and likely will take us to task for our position. But after full evaluation of the pluses and minuses concerning the Atlantic Coast Pipeline, we see no other way to go than support it.

 Read the full story in The Daily Herald