FERC Seeking public comment for scoping process as part of EIS

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission is getting ready to begin their next step in the Atlantic Coast Pipeline project evaluation – creating a environmental impact statement. This process includes gathering public comment and holding a series of public scoping meetings.

There are three methods for submitting comments to FERC and you need to include the docket number ACP-PF15-6-000 in any correspondence.

You can file your comments electronically using the eComment feature, located on the Commission’s website (www.ferc.gov) under the link to Documents and Filings. You can use this feature if you just want to submit brief, text only comments.

You can also file your comments electronically using the eFiling feature, also located on the Commission’s website under the link to Documents and Filings. With eFiling, you can provide comments in a variety of formats by attaching them as a file with your submission. New eFiling users must first create an account by clicking on “eRegister.” You must select the type of filing you are making. If you are filing a comment on a particular project, please select “Comment on a Filing”.

Or you can file a paper copy of your comments by mailing them to FERC. The scoping period will close on April 28th, 2015. Here is the address to mail in your comments.

Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
888 First Street NE, Room 1A
Washington, DC 20426

Scoping comments should not just say, “I don’t want a pipeline,” but rather point out substantive environmental issues, such as slippage of hillsides, potential harm to rivers and streams from construction runoff and fill materials leaching, impact on endangered or threatened species, threats to water supplies.

In other related pipeline news, landowners along the proposed route of the Mountain Valley Pipeline have contacted by lawyers threatening suit to allow survey crews onto private property, according to information released by the Mid-Atlantic Responsible Energy or MARE project.

Letters have been received in Monroe, Greenbrier, Nicholas and Lewis counties. Dominion has done the same thing in Virginia along the proposed Atlantic Coast Pipeline route.

The MVP letters cite WV State Code Section 54 which arguably requires eminent domain to be granted prior to statutorily protected access. Currently, MVP has no right to claim eminent domain since they have not officially filed an application with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to construct the pipeline.

Local attorneys with Appalachian Mountain Advocates have offered their services to local landowners. “If a landowner is sued by a pipeline company for access to their private property to survey, we will represent them for free,” said attorney Joe Lovett. You can find more information about the MARE project at their website, www.mareproject.org.

Dominion Resources also has two upcoming open house meetings to discuss a possible alternative route for the Atlantic Coast Pipeline. Those meetings are scheduled for Thursday March 19th at 2pm at the Highland Center in Monterey, and Monday March 23rd at 2pm at the Gandy Dancer conference center in Elkins.

Upcoming Scoping Meetings

Date and Time Location

Weds., March 11, 2015 7:00 PM William R. Davie Middle School 4391 Hwy. 158 Roanoke Rapids, NC 27870
Thursday, March 12, 2015 7:00 PM Jolliff Middle School 1021 Jolliff Road Chesapeake, VA 23331
Monday, March 16, 2015 7:00 PM Dinwiddie Middle School 11608 Courthouse Road Dinwiddie, VA 23841
Tuesday, March 17, 2015 7:00 PM Prince Edward County High School Auditorium 1482 Zion Hill Road
Farmville, VA 23901
Weds., March 18, 2015 7:00 PM Nelson County Middle School 6925 Thomas Nelson Highway Lovingston, VA 22949
Thursday, March 19, 2015 7:00 PM Stuarts Draft High School 1028 Augusta Farms Road Stuarts Draft, VA 24477
Monday, March 23, 2015 7:00 PM Elkins High School 100 Kennedy Drive Elkins, WV 26241
Tuesday, March 24, 2015 7:00 PM Bridgeport High School 515 Johnson Avenue Bridgeport, WV 26330