Atlantic Coast Pipeline Update, May 2015

In an attempt to keep our members informed about the process and progress of the construction of the new pipeline through Virginia, we have recently added four documents to the website under the Pipeline tab, (which is listed under ‘Conservation’ in the navigation bar). Our Conservation Chairperson, Marcia Mabee Bell, has been tireless in keeping track of what is happening, and has provided the information. The four documents are titled here with the same wording used on the website’s tab. Each is summarized, and followed with a direct, clickable link to the full document.

1. Dominion’s Response to FERC

After FERC, (Federal Energy Regulatory Commission), approved the request “to utilize the pre-filing process” for the pipeline, (officially, the Atlantic Coast Pipeline and Supply Header Projects), in November of 2014, there was a period allowed for public comments, a process referred to as scoping, to define implications related to going ahead with the project. The link below has Dominion’s letter to FERC containing all the comments, who made them, and Dominion’s response.

The first part of the document lists the project’s many parts, including the exact number of miles of pipes, the compressor stations, valve points, metering stations, etc. It’s an instructive catalog; and the comments come after that and a table showing the sources of the comments.

The Virginia Native Plant Society submitted several comments, as did many of our official partners, such as the Department of Natural Heritage, as well as allies large and small, from NOAA to the Friends of Nelson County. Comments raise concerns about habitat destruction and fragmentation, water quality, invasive plant encroachment, and much more. Each comment is followed by a specific response from Dominion explaining how they will address these concerns.

Dominion’s Responses to Scoping Comments

2. Scoping Comments from Department of Conservation and Recreation

In this letter, the DCR specifically names the rivers, trails, and by-ways that will be affected by construction of the pipeline, and includes a letter from the DNH, (Department of Natural Heritage) that provides a list of all the rare, threatened, or endangered plants and animals that will be adversely affected by the pipeline.

Scoping Comments from DCR

3.  VNPS Scoping Comments

A letter to the FERC from our President, Nancy Vehrs, outlining the specific concerns of the Society.

Letter from the Virginia Native Plant Society

4.  Report on ABRA Meeting

Conservation Chairperson, Marcia Mabee Bell, attended the meeting of the Allegheny Blue-Ridge Alliance on March 7 and provided this report. VNPS is a formal member of this alliance.

ABRA Report