The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has done an about-face on its previously announced intention to “ensure that Virginia water quality standards are maintained in all areas affected” by the Atlantic Coast Pipeline (ACP) and Mountain Valley Pipeline (MVP).”

Energy Industry-Sponsored Poll Claims Strong Public Support for ACP

The Consumers Energy Alliance (CEA), an industry coalition whose members include Dominion Energy and the Virginia Manufacturers Association (which is also represented on the group’s Board of Directors), this week released results of a public opinion survey conducted in Virginia,

U.S. Senate Conducts Confirmation Hearings on FERC Nominees

The U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources conducted a confirmation hearing on May 25 for the recently nominees to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Neil Chatterjee and Robert Powelson (see May 19 ABRA Update for background on nominees).

ABRA CONSERVATION HUB

ABRA’s Conservation Hub program promotes responsible resource management by providing access to critical information needed for effective public involvement in environmental review and oversight.

Following the defeat of the Atlantic Coast Pipeline in 2020, ABRA initiated the Conservation Hub to support informed public engagement with the broader range of environmental issues confronting the Allegheny-Blue Ridge Mountain region. The Conservation Hub builds on the analysis and information sharing capacity achieved through ABRA’s Pipeline CSI project during the years of ACP opposition.

The Conservation Hub is based on the use of GIS mapping to provide details and context for land development projects and management practices that involve risk of environmental harm, as well as for environmental preservation and restoration initiatives. The Conservation Hub also provides access to regulatory documents and assessments related to specific projects or issues.

Multiple Conservation Hub sites, focused on individual projects or issues, have been developed collaboratively with ABRA’s partners and allies. Going forward, we invite conservation groups, individuals, and communities to provide ideas for new Hub sites and GIS mapping that can contribute to informed public engagement on behalf of environmental integrity in the Allegheny-Blue Ridge region.