DEQ Approves ACP Erosion And Storm Water Plans

On Friday. October 19th, the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality approved the Atlantic Coast Pipeline’s erosion and sediment control plans and storm water management plan. The agency’s approval allows the state’s water quality certification to take effect and is the final state approval needed to begin pipeline construction in Virginia. Atlantic Coast Pipeline spokesperson Aaron Ruby released the following statement in a press release.

 

“This is a major step forward for the project and brings our region one step closer to a growing economy, a cleaner environment and greater energy security. Thousands of hardworking Virginians and local businesses across the state will soon be hard at work building this transformational project.

 

The agency’s process was the most sweeping and rigorous regulatory review of any energy infrastructure project in Virginia history. The agency spent more than a year reviewing site-specific environmental controls for every inch of the pipeline’s path in Virginia. No other project in the state’s history has received as much regulatory scrutiny or been developed with greater attention to public safety and the environment. We’ve put in place some of the strongest environmental protections ever used by the industry to keep soil and sediment out of our streams and rivers during construction. These protections have proven effective in West Virginia and North Carolina, where construction has been underway for several months.

 

With this final state approval for pipeline construction in place, we are requesting a Notice to Proceed with full construction in Virginia from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. This project is all about building a better economic and environmental future for our region. Public utilities are depending on it to meet the growing energy needs of consumers and businesses. We’re eager to get to work in Virginia so we can build on the significant progress we’ve made in West Virginia and North Carolina.”

Story By

Scott Smith

Scott Smith is the General Manager for Allegheny Mountain Radio and Station Coordinator and News Reporter for WVLS. Scott’s family has deep roots in Highland County. While he did not grow up here, he spent as much time as possible on the family farm, and eventually moved to Highland to continue the tradition, which he still pursues with his cousin. Unfortunately, farming doesn’t pay all the bills, so he has previously taken other jobs to support his farming hobby, including pressman/writer for The Recorder, and Ag Projects Coordinator for The Highland Center. He lives in Hightown with wife Michelle and son Ethan. In his spare time, he wishes he had more spare time, especially to ride his prized Harley-Davidson motorcycle. scott@amrmail.org

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