LUMBERTON — A divided panel of federal regulators granted approval Friday for the Atlantic Coast Pipeline, which would begin in West Virginia and end in Pembroke.
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission also gave approval to the Mountain Valley natural gas pipeline, another major East Coast project. The approvals had been widely expected by both supporters and opponents of the pipelines.
“Everyone assumed that FERC would approve the federal permit for the ACP because it has only denied two pipeline permits over its 40-year history,” said Mac Legerton, executive director of the Center for Community Action who has been outspoken in oppsing the project. “Everyone expected this decision despite the significant criticisms of the draft permit in relation to both environmental and environmental justice issue.”
The certificates granted by the commission came with dozens of conditions, and other necessary permits for both projects are still pending.
Both pipelines would start in West Virginia, carrying gas from the Appalachian basin to U.S. markets.
The 600-mile, approximately $5 billion Atlantic Coast Pipeline, would start in north-central West Virginia, cross Virginia and bend through eastern North Carolina. Its lead developer is Dominion Energy.
The $3.5 billion, 300-mile Mountain Valley Pipeline would run south from northern West Virginia through the center of the state, cross into Virginia west of Roanoke, and then cut southeast to a point north of Danville. EQT Midstream Partners will operate the pipeline.
The pipelines have been widely supported by business and political leaders, who say the projects will lower energy costs and boost economic development. But opponents, including environmental groups and landowners, say the projects will infringe on property rights, damage pristine areas and commit the region to fossil fuels just when global warming makes it essential to invest in renewable energy instead.
The approvals mean the pipeline developers will have the authority to use eminent domain to acquire land if they can’t reach an agreement with a landowner.
Legerton sees plenty of hurdles for the project.
“In spite of what is often stated, the pipeline has not received any of the state permits needed,” he said. “It is a long way from having a green light to proceed. More and more people are learning of the major dangers of the pipeline and that it is not needed for either economic development or to meet the growing energy needs of our state. Job growth, economic development, and energy resources are now in renewable energy sources, not fossil fuels. The sectors of solar, wind, and thermal energy are the key to our economic and energy future, not dangerous and highly toxic methane gas.”
Supporters of the pipeline, which include the Robeson County Board of Commissioners, say it is needed for clean energy and also to attract industry that wants access to natural gas. The pipeline’s owners would pay property taxes on its infrastruture.
