The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) is responsible for deciding whether to authorize the construction, operation, and maintenance of interstate natural gas transmission pipeline facilities. As part of its decision making process, the agency is

required by the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and its implementing regulations to consider the environmental impacts resulting from the construction and operation of a natural gas pipeline like the Atlantic Coast Pipeline (ACP). FERC’s environ mental staff has prepared a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) to assess the potential environmental impacts that could result from the construction and operation of the ACP.

The DEIS for the ACP was released December 30, 2016. It is available at

(scroll to bottom of that page).

FERC’s stated purpose, set forth in the 2300+ page document, is to:

1. Identify and assess potential impacts on the natural and human environment that

would result from constructing and operating ACP;

2. Describe and evaluate reasonable alternatives to ACP that would avoid or minimize adverse impacts on the environment;

3. Identify and recommend specific mitigation measures, as necessary, to avoid or

further reduce/minimize environmental impacts; and

4. Encourage and facilitate involvement by the public and interested agencies in the

environmental review process

Read the rest of this document at the ABRA site.

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