The West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has said it will hold public hearings on the application of the Atlantic Coast Pipeline to obtain a certificate from the state as required by Section 401 of the Clean Water Act. The DEP had originally set May 8 as a comment deadline, but last week it stated in emails to several ABRA members that one or more public hearings will be held, meaning that the deadline for written comments to be filed will be extended to ten days after the last hearing. No dates have been set yet for the hearings, but they are anticipated to occur in June.
In Virginia, the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) will be considering the 401 application for the ACP. The DEQ has committed to hold public hearings, which will be conducted by the State Water Control Board. Though ACP’s application has yet to be completed and hearing dates are not set, citizens can express views to the Water Board about the 401 issue during comment periods at regularly Board meetings. The next scheduled meeting is May 17 in Glen Allen, VA. Details here.