Organization Submits Pro-Pipeline Commentary to F.E.R.C

Dominion Resources issued a press notification  this week on comments submitted to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission regarding the Atlantic Coast Pipeline. According to Jim Norvelle, Director of Communications for Dominion Energy, more than 20,000 comments were collected and sent to F.E.R.C. by the Consumer Energy Alliance.

CEA gathered over 10,000 comments supporting the ACP from North Carolina, over 7,600 from Virginia, over 3,000 from West Virginia, and over 800 from other states, which were given to F.E.R.C. as the commission  continues it’s scoping period on the project, which is scheduled to end April 28^th.

CEA Executive Vice President Michael Whatley commented on the submissions, saying “Domestic natural gas production from the Marcellus Shale has created an engine for much-needed jobs and economic investment throughout the United States. We must make the most of our new found energy abundance by supporting key infrastructure projects like the Atlantic Coast Pipeline that will deliver natural gas to areas of the country where it is greatly needed. The construction of this single project will increase the affordability and accessibility of energy supplies to consumers in the southeast and result in a significant economic boost across a three-state region.” He also touted previously released economic benefits of the project, including a $2.7 billion impact during the 5 year construction and $69 million operating impact annually after completion.

According to the CEA’s website, the organization bills itself as “the voice of the energy consumer” and provides consumers with sound, unbiased information on U.S. and global energy issues. It lists over 400,000 members, including energy giants Exxon, Chevron, BP and Shell, and has advocated for other controversial energy projects, including the Keystone Pipeline. Whatley, CEA Board of Directors president David Holt, and staff member Andrew Browning are all partners in HBW Resources, a Washington DC based public relations firm which lobbies on behalf of energy industry interests.