Allegheny-Blue Ridge Alliance

Decisions by FERC on ACP Time Extension Requests Still Pending

It has been two-months since Dominion Energy Transportation, Inc. (DETI), the managing partner of the Atlantic Coast Pipeline (ACP) project, requested of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) an extension of one year to complete abandonment and restoration of the Atlantic Coast Pipeline (ACP) project and a two-year extension to construct and place the now-cancelled Supply Header Project (SHP) into service while DETI evaluates options for the potential use of some or all of it.

Comments Due Friday, September 11 on MVP Extension Request

Comments on the Mountain Valley Pipeline’s request for a two-year extension of its certificate to construct the pipeline, which is due to expire October 13, are due to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) by 5 pm on Friday, September 11.

Fish and Wildlife Service Issues New Biological Opinion for MVP

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) issued September 4 a new Biological Opinion (BiOp) and Incidental Take Statement (ITC) for the Mountain Valley Pipeline. An earlier BiOp and ITC had been subject to legal challenges in 2019. The process of writing a new BiOp and ITC has been proceeding for an extended period.

Comments Filed Opposing Endangered Species Act Modification

Sixty-Four conservation organizations, including ABRA and several of its members, filed comments on September 3 with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Marine Fisheries Service in response to a proposal by the two agencies to define “habitat” in the regulations governing the Endangered Species Act (ESA).

Trump Administration Lists MVP Southgate as a Priority Project

An internal Trump Administration memo of July 15, obtain last week by the Center for Biological Diversity, identifies over 50 infrastructure projects that have been designated priorities to finish in accordance with the President’s Executive Order 13927 to accelerate the nation’s economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

FERC Now Has a Bare Quorum to Function

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s (FERC) membership has been reduced to three, the minimum number required for votes to take place. Commissioner Bernard McNamee’s last day was September 4. His term ended June 30 but he agreed to stay on for an additional two months.

Dominion’s pipeline coating concerns still unaddressed; more review needed

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– The Recorder – 9/10/20

Regional & MVP

Mountain Valley Pipeline construction won’t jeopardize protected species, federal review says

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– The Roanoke Times – 9/4/20

Big Picture

Wildfires and weather extremes: It’s not coincidence, it’s climate change

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– CBS News – 9/10/20

Related:
Think 2020′s disasters are wild? Experts see worse in future

Our member group Dominion Pipeline Monitoring Coalition has produced a series of interactive Story Maps that take a deeper look at some of the reasons the ACP and MVP are unacceptable proposals. Click on the map image below to navigate to the full map content.