FERC releases draft environmental impact statement on Atlantic coast pipeline
The U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) recently issued a draft environmental impact statement (EIS) for the proposed Atlantic Coast Pipeline (ACP) in Virginia and North Carolina.
The natural gas transmission pipeline would stretch for 600 miles and deliver 1.5 million cubic feet of Marcellus shale gas to consumers in Virginia and North Carolina.
ACP would be developed, built and operated by Atlantic Coast Pipeline, LLC, a company formed by four regional energy companies: Dominion Energy, Duke Energy, Piedmont Natural Gas and Southern Company Gas.
FERC issued the draft report after two years of investigation and community engagement. The project was first submitted for federal approval approximately one year ago.
The draft EIS states that the pipeline would have some significant negative environmental effects if certain risks aren’t properly mitigated. The report covered alternative routes, endangered species, the bodies of water the pipeline will cross and several potentially hazardous areas, such as karst terrain prone to potholes and areas where slopes increase the possibility of landslides.
The draft report concluded that these adverse effects and risks could be minimized to insignificant levels by employing mitigation measures proposed by FERC and the pipeline’s developers.
“While we have to review the draft further, we believe it confirms that the project can be built in an environmentally responsible way that protects the public safety and natural resources of our region,” Leslie Hartz, vice president of pipeline construction at Dominion Energy, said.
Dominion has already made more than 300 route adjustments because of environmental concerns, Hartz said.
Critics said FERC did not review whether the pipeline is actually needed to meet energy needs, and that it puts communities, drinking water supplies and private and public property at risk.
Dominion says that the pipeline is necessary for meeting energy needs and will aid in the transition towards the use of cleaner energy. Total natural gas demand in the region is estimated to rise at 3.5 percent annually through 2035, an economic impact analysis of the project found.
The draft EIS is open for public comment until April 6. FERC expects to issue a final EIS in June, which will cover environmental impact, whether the pipeline is necessary and the price of the gas for customers. FERC will issue ruling after the release of the final EIS.
