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Developer counters challenges to Atlantic Coast pipe approval

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Developer counters challenges to Atlantic Coast pipe approval

The developer of the Dominion Energy Inc.-led Atlantic Coast natural gas pipeline asked the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to stand by its authorization of the 1.5-Bcf/d project.

In response to a request from the Sierra Club and other pipeline opponents that the commission reconsider its approval and stay the $5.1 billion pipeline, Atlantic Coast Pipeline LLC said in a Dec. 12 filing that any delay to the project would result in "grave harm" and would likely push back the planned November 2019 completion date.

"Atlantic also would incur significant economic damages under its contracts with construction contractors were the project to be delayed as a result of a stay," attorneys for Atlantic Coast said.

The project's current timeline includes tree felling activities that must be performed in the winter construction season due to protective measures for migratory birds and bats.

Environmental groups asked FERC in November to reconsider its certificate orders for both the Atlantic Coast and the $3.7 billion Mountain Valley pipeline projects, citing environmental and economic concerns. Opponents of the projects have also called for states to deny necessary permits for the projects, and they appealed to a federal court to review the decisions supporting the Atlantic Coast pipeline.

The Atlantic Coast route goes through West Virginia, Virginia and North Carolina, with about 600 miles of pipeline that would carry Appalachian gas supplies to mid-Atlantic and Southeast markets. The project is a joint venture of Dominion, Duke Energy Corp., Southern Co. Gas and Piedmont Natural Gas Co. Inc.

The Mountain Valley pipeline is a joint venture of EQT Midstream Partners LP, NextEra Energy Inc. affiliates, RGC Resources Inc., WGL Holdings Inc. and Consolidated Edison Inc. The 300-mile line will run through West Virginia and Virginia, in the same region as the Atlantic Coast pipeline, and would deliver 2 Bcf/d to mid-Atlantic and Southeast markets from Appalachian suppliers. (FERC docket CP15-554, CP16-10)