Environmental groups called it a win. Dominion Energy — which is leading the development of the hotly contested Atlantic Coast Pipeline — called it a “very significant milestone.”
The 4-3 vote Tuesday by the State Water Control Board on a crucial water quality certification for the natural gas pipeline, after an amendment that delayed the effective date of the certification, left many scratching their heads.
The board, which had been grappling with delaying a decision on the project, ultimately approved the certification with an amendment by board member Timothy G. Hayes that prevents it from becoming effective until the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality finishes reviewing and approving a series of plans and mitigation measures.
Many pipeline opponents contend that those plans, which deal with stormwater and erosion and sediment control, among other areas, are key to deciding whether the project can be built without degrading state waterways. Developers’ plans call for the 600-mile Atlantic Coast Pipeline to cut through 11 Virginia counties on its way to North Carolina, not including an extension to Chesapeake.
Richmond Times-Dispatch – Robert Zullo – 12.12.2017
Posted by: Nelson Bailey
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