The Atlantic Coast Pipeline (ACP) is no longer. Dominion & Duke Energy explained they are cancelling ACP because cost uncertainty threatens the economic viability of the project.”
They made this announcement over our Independence Day holiday weekend, on Sunday, July 5, 2020.
The question now is how long will it take for Mountain Valley Pipeline (MVP) and its owners to come to the same conclusion? MVP faces the same lack of permits to cross water bodies, National Forest, or the Appalachian Trail, and much more uncertainty than ACP faced. MVP’s ownership is changing, their stock rated as “junk” and “sell” and two of their contracts for gas have been cancelled.
Both ACP and MVP, two massive 42” fracked gas pipelines, were proposed to cross through our mountains from West Virginia into Virginia and North Carolina in 2014, both ACP and MVP. No pipeline this size had ever been built on the fragile and steep slopes of Potts and Peters Mountains or anywhere in the Appalachians. Despite massive scientific data showing they could not be safely built and opposition to the use of eminent domain for private gain, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) rubber-stamped their approval and construction began.
MVP pipes washing away
MVP was farther along than ACP, but is halted, and very far from completion. The hardest and most dangerous crossings of streams and steep terrain have been blocked, numerous massive fines have been levied, demand for the gas has declined, prices are in the dumpster, and construction costs have risen from $3.5 Billion to now approaching $6 Billion. New fines against MVP were levied by Virginia two weeks ago. And yet, MVP continues to say they will begin construction again this Summer.
Preserve Craig has opposed this project every day for the past six years, and we will not stop fighting it until MVP is also cancelled. You may recall that in September 2019 Preserve Craig led the filing of a Motion with the FERC, demanding MVP revise its stormwater analysis because the data was wrong and the resulting catastrophic damages to our water and soil are happening because of the flawed data that FERC accepted. The FERC finally denied our Motion on March 27, 2020 but did not refute our claims. Instead, FERC stated they did not require peak stormwater discharge analysis and that was the responsibility of other government agencies, even though the false data was part of the FERC’s own Impact Statement.
On March 27, 2020 Preserve Craig, together with the Indian Creek Watershed Association and its allies filed briefs with three of the agencies that FERC has passed the buck to. We have asked the US Army Corps of Engineers, the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services to review MVP’s peak stormwater discharge analysis before any further construction is permitted. Details of these filings are on our website.
Hopefully MVP will realize their project also needs to be cancelled soon. In the meantime, Preserve Craig is requesting donations to continue protecting our water, soils, viewsheds, and way of life.
Preserve Craig’s mission is to protect our natural, historical, and cultural resources.
Preserve Craig is a participant in the Mountain Valley Watch (MVW), a collaboration of volunteers, nonprofits, and private interests. MVW is documenting construction activity of the Mountain Valley Pipeline to assure compliance with environmental regulations during construction. Call or text to 833-MVWATCH (833-689-2824) with any info on harm MVP is causing.
Protect Our Community
Please donate to protect this special place. Preserve Craig, Inc. is a 501C3 nonprofit volunteer public charity formed in 1991 to protect our natural, historical, and cultural resources. Tax-deductible donations can be made online at www.preservecraig.org or by mail to: Preserve Craig, Inc., PO Box 730, New Castle, VA. 24127.