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Atlantic Coast pipeline supporters ask Va. governor for help

Supporters of the 1.5-Bcf/d Atlantic Coast pipeline project asked Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam to encourage the state's Department of Environmental Quality to support existing water quality permits so construction can continue.

A group of more than 25 trade organizations representing businesses and workers involved in the project voiced concern in a May 24 letter over a Virginia State Water Control Board ruling that they said could lead to reassessment of federal water quality permits that could require individual permits for each water crossing. The current permits, issued by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, collectively authorized almost 900 water crossings in Virginia for the approximately $6 billion to $6.5 billion project.

The department's decision could establish a retroactive policy for other infrastructure projects in the state, the trade organizations said. "This will undermine the reliability and certainty of duly issued construction permits in the state, impair private investment in much-needed infrastructure projects and damage ... Virginia's reputation as a good place to do business," the groups said in the letter.

Environmental groups and other opponents have challenged the project at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, at the state level and in court, citing environmental impacts, economic impacts and other issues.

In December 2017, the Water Control Board awarded water quality certification pending further environmental analysis. The board asked the Department of Environmental Quality in January for more information on a final erosion and sediment control and stormwater plans, annual standards and specifications, and a supplemental karst evaluation plan, as part of the analysis for the Clean Water Act Section 401 certification.

The project, which will include about 600 miles of 42-inch-diameter pipeline, is a joint venture of Dominion Energy Inc., Duke Energy Corp. and Southern Co. Gas. FERC issued a certificate order in October 2017. Developers began construction in February. (FERC docket CP15-554)