SUFFOLK, Va. (WAVY) — Dominion Energy is moving full speed ahead with its Atlantic Coast Pipeline, but one Hampton Roads resident is saying, “Not in my backyard.”
Paulette Johnson bought the property in Suffolk 10 years ago, and when she did, she had no thought even in her wildest imagination that a pipeline would cut right through the property. Yet, that will likely happen.
The Atlantic Coast Pipeline is a likely done deal, but not if Johnson has her way. Johnson and pipeline opponents fear massive explosions.
In January on the Texas panhandle, there was police dash cam video showing a massive explosion. A 26-inch natural gas line ruptured, creating a ball of raging fire, lighting up everything around it.
“If I choose to stay, I will have to live with that fear for the rest of my life, and I also have the fear of leakage into the ground will affect my water,” Johnson said.
Dominion Energy’s Atlantic Coast Pipeline will cut right through Johnson’s five acre nature sanctuary.
Since 2007 when she bought the land, Johnson has planted 3,000 pines, 500 red cedars and carved out walking paths. A pipeline wasn’t part of her plan.
“What I’m most upset about, they are going to destroy the land, and they will be taking out the trees, and I can’t put anything back over on top of [the buried gas line.]”
Wavy TV – Andy Fox – 07/19/2017
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