The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality plans to disclose in December its recommendations to the State Water Control Board regarding water quality certification for two deeply controversial natural gas pipelines.
DEQ said it will recommend conditions that the seven-member citizens board should consider attaching to any Clean Water Act Section 401 water quality certification the board grants the projects.
Ann Regn, a DEQ spokeswoman, said it is also possible the agency will suggest that one or both projects not be granted certification.
Recommendations about the Mountain Valley Pipeline’s certification will be shared during a board meeting Dec. 6 and 7. The Atlantic Coast Pipeline will be discussed Dec. 11 and 12.
The two-day public meetings will be held in Richmond. During the first day of each meeting, people who weighed in about the pipelines during a formal public comment period can sign up to address the board. As envisioned, Regn said, the second day of each meeting will feature DEQ’s recommendations.
If the board grants the certification, it will be a shot in the arm for the separate but similar pipeline ventures.
The Roanoke Times – Duncan Adams – 10.03.2017
Posted by Nelson Bailey
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