The new year is weeks away and ABRA is ready to meet the challenges of 2021: We are poised to review the soon-to-be-released restoration plans for the Atlantic Coast Pipeline route and to monitor closely the implementation of those plans

Fourth Circuit Explains and Reaffirms Stay of MVP’s Army Corps Permit

The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals on December 1 issued its opinion on the stay of the Army Corps of Engineers’ Nationwide Permit 12 (NWP12) it had granted in early November for the Mountain Valley Pipeline (MVP). The challenge to

Congressional Subcommittee Queries FERC on Landowner Issues

The U.S. House Subcommittee on Civil Rights and Civil Liberties (part of the House Committee on Oversight and Reform) has asked the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to address several issues involving conflicts between landowners and natural gas pipeline companies.

U.S. Senate Confirms Two New FERC Commissioners

The U.S. Senate on November 30 confirmed the two nominees for outstanding vacancies on the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). The two new commissioners are: Mark Christie, Republican, who has been a longtime member and most recently Chairman of the Virginia

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.