A motion to stay the U.S. Fish and Wildlife’s (FWS) latest Biological Opinion and Incidental Take Statement for the Atlantic Coast Pipeline (ACP) was filed November 30 with the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals by the Southern Environmental Law Center (SELC) on behalf of its clients: Defenders of Wildlife,
Air Board Urged to Reject ACP’s Late Efforts on Compressor Station Vote
The Virginia Air Pollution Control Board has been asked to reject eleventh-hour attempt by Dominion Energy to insert new conditions and provisions into the pending air quality permit for the project’s compressor station in Buckingham County without input from the public.
U.S. Senate Confirms Fifth Member of FERC
Bernard McNamee, Executive Director of the Office of Policy for the U.S. Department of Energy, was confirmed December 6 to be a member of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). His approval came on a 50-49 vote, with all Democrats voting against the nomination.
Nelson County Turns Down ACP Floodplain Variance Request
The Nelson County Board of Zoning Appeals denied on December 3, by a 3-2 vote, four of Dominion Energy’s applications for the variances to the County’s flood plain ordinance needed to construct the Atlantic Coast Pipeline across flood plains in Nelson.
Virginia to Establish a Methane Leakage Work Group
The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) announced December 3 that it is establishing an ad hoc work group of stakeholders to develop a framework for limiting methane leakage from natural gas infrastructure. The group will support DEQ in its collection and evaluation of data to inform the regulation development process.
As ACPAs ACP Compressor Station Vote Nears, A Political Labyrinth Emerges
The last issue of ABRA Update (November 15) reported on Virginia Governor Northam’s plans to replace two members of the State Air Pollution Control Board in advance of a crucial Board vote on a permit for the Atlantic Coast Pipeline compressor station in Buckingham County.
FERC Asked to Issue Stop Work Order for ACP
A group of six ABRA members – Appalachian Voices, Chesapeake Climate Action Network, Sierra Club, West Virginia Highlands Conservancy, West Virginia Rivers Coalition, and Wild Virginia – have asked the Federal Regulatory Commission to issue a stop work order for the Atlantic Coast Pipeline (ACP).
Fourth Circuit Vacates MVP’s Nationwide 12 Permit
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ issuance of a Nationwide 12 Permit to the Mountain Valley Pipeline (MVP) has been held to be invalid by the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals. The November 27 Order from the Court held that Corps’ permit for the MVP violated the Clean Water Act and that the project will likely require an individual permit to cross streams.
Gov. Northam To Replace Members on the Air and Water Boards
In a stunning development late Thursday, November 15, it was reported that Virginia Governor Northam will replace two members of the Air Pollution Control Board and one member of the State Water Control Board whose terms have expired, but who were continuing to serve.
FERC Requested to Issue Stop Work Order on ACP Due to NWP 12 Decision
Six ABRA member organizations have requested that the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) issue a stop work order for the Atlantic Coast Pipeline (ACP) because of the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals’ issuance on November 7 of a stay of the U.S.