Thank you for contacting me regarding the proposed Atlantic Coast Pipeline. I appreciate hearing from you on this important issue.

The proposed Atlantic Coast Pipeline (ACP) is a new natural gas pipeline that will stretch 550 miles in length from Harrison County, West Virginia, through areas of Virginia to Robeson County, North Carolina. It is a joint venture between Dominion Resources, Duke Energy, Piedmont Natural Gas, and AGL Resources. The proposed pipeline is subject to the interstate pipeline rules of the Natural Gas Act, and will require a construction certificate from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) before construction can begin. The process includes the completion of an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and normally takes a year or more to complete. Dominion Resources started a clock with their pre-filing application with FERC on October 31, 2014. If approved, the project is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2018.

America must invest in research and develop new technologies and efficiency improvements across all sources of energy to retain its competitive advantage in the global economy and ensure a promising future for our citizens. Advancing technologies have unlocked significant reserves of U.S. natural gas, and have helped the United States increase domestic energy production. However, it is critical that there are proper safeguards are in place. We should carefully monitor any procedures to ensure the technology is safe and does not endanger the environment. It is also important that property owners who may be affected by a new pipeline have appropriate protections. This includes an opportunity to participate in the review process to provide input on the route of the pipeline, as well as exercising their rights to ensure any surveying of their property is conducted in accordance with appropriate laws and regulations.

I will continue to monitor developments on this important issue, and will continue to work with my colleagues to put together a sustainable energy policy that will meet the needs of the American people, now and in the years to come.

Again, thank you for contacting me. For further information or to sign up for my newsletter please visit my website at http://www.warner.senate.gov.