Atlantic Coast Pipeline (ACP), LLC formally applied to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) Friday for permission to build a 564-mile interstate natural gas transmission pipeline that would travel through three states, and locally, though Buckingham, Cumberland and Prince Edward counties.
The project, according to an ACP news release, is “designed to meet the need for cleaner electricity generation, satisfy the growing demand for natural gas to heat homes and businesses and promote consumer savings and economic growth.”
If approved, the project, would allow for a 42-inch pipeline to be built across Buckingham County and construction of a 40,000 horsepower compressor station between Shelton Store and Union Hill roads near Route 56.
FERC “is being asked to certify the public benefit and necessity of the project. The FERC and a number of participating agencies will examine fully a broad number of issues, including public safety, air quality, water resources, geology, soils, wildlife and vegetation, threatened and endangered species, land and visual resources, cultural and historic resources, noise, cumulative impacts and reasonable alternatives,” the release stated.
Four major U.S. energy companies — Dominion, Duke Energy, Piedmont Natural Gas and AGL Resources — formed ACP, LLC to build and own the proposed pipeline.
“The pipeline would transport abundant natural gas supplies from Harrison County, W.Va., southeast through Virginia with an extension to Chesapeake … and south through central North Carolina to Robeson County. Pending regulatory approval, construction is expected to begin in the second half of 2016 and the pipeline is expected to be in service in the fourth quarter of 2018,” ACP, LLC stated.
The project has met considerable opposition in Buckingham County. Friends of Buckingham (FOB), a group formed in opposition to the pipeline, has protested the project on numerous occasions.
“It is clear that these pipelines are a real threat to all Virginians,” Chad Oba, an FOB co-chair said in response to the filing. “We will continue to oppose these new pipelines and all unneeded and unwanted gas infrastructures. We will be looking closely at Dominion’s recent application filing with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.”
The ACP “has considered more than 3,000 miles of potential routes and made hundreds of route adjustments based on discussions with landowners, public officials and others. [ACP] has participated in more than 60 public meetings involving thousands of interested individuals, agencies and organizations,” the release stated.
Dominion, the lead partner of the joint venture, estimates that the pipeline would bring in well over $11 million dollars to Buckingham, Cumberland and Prince Edward counties in property tax payments over a 10-year period, beginning in 2016.
The least amount of tax revenue would come in 2016, with Buckingham seeing $24,500, Cumberland getting $11,500 and Prince Edward receiving $4,000.
The localities greatest collection year would be seen in 2022, according Dominion, with Buckingham receiving $1,156,500, $441,000 for Cumberland and Prince Edward getting $153,500.
Over the 10-year span, Buckingham is slated to receive over $7.39 million dollars, Cumberland would see $2.82 million, and Prince Edward would get $983,000.
“Dominion has completed surveying about 85 percent of a proposed route that meets the operational and reliability needs while minimizing the impact on the environment as well as historical and cultural resources. [ACP] will file supplemental information with the FERC when surveying is completed and propose a final route,” the release noted.