Editor:

The Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the Atlantic Coast Pipeline (ACP) dismisses concerns raised by citizens and claims that Buckingham County will only experience short-term inconvenience. 

This conclusion ignores information that supports the opposite conclusion.

Those who live in the immediate area of the compressor station can expect more noise and air pollution than the DEIS acknowledges. People who live near other stations report experiencing far more frequent “blowdowns” than the company says are planned. 

In Loudoun County last fall, frequent, unannounced “blowdowns” caused extensive public concern. The gas released in Buckingham will be colorless and odorless, so we will not be able to easily tell when it happens. 

This will be very dangerous for those nearby with health problems.

Loudoun found that localities cannot depend upon promises from Dominion. Less than a year after saying the compressor station would not expand, it was slated for expansion. People moved to the area with the understanding that the station would not expand. Now they are being told that the station was there when they moved in.

The DEIS too easily dismisses problems and fails to require protection for those living near the proposed compression station.

Write and call your elected officials and send comments to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC).

You may mail written comments to Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary, FERC, 888 First Street NE, Room 1A, Washington, D.C. 20426.

Kenda Hanuman

Buckingham