Democratic chairs issue statement urging Northam to block pipelines

The Roanoke County Democratic Committee, in conjunction with several Democratic committees and chairs across Virginia, issued a statement late Thursday urging the Commonwealth to stop the Mountain Valley and Atlantic Coast pipelines.

“We, the undersigned Virginia Democratic Committees and Chairs, do hereby call for Governor Ralph Northam, Attorney General Mark Herring, and the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality to do all they can to stop the Mountain Valley and Atlantic Coast Pipelines. These two pipelines are a clear abuse of eminent domain laws, as they do not benefit the people whose property is being irreparably damaged, and as they will potentially deprive surrounding areas of life-sustaining drinking water, as well as recreation and tourism dollars. The two pipelines will serve to move finites resources through unstable terrain to benefit the natural gas pipeline and utility companies involved in the project. The fact is, the Mountain Valley and Atlantic Coast Pipeline represent the death rattle of an obsolete industry, one being rapidly overtaken by clean energy sources like wind and solar, and pose a clear threat to Virginia’s groundwater and waterways.

“Throughout his political career, Governor Northam has shown great concern regarding environmental abuses in the Chesapeake Bay and has strongly supported efforts aimed at removing phosphorus, nitrates and other pollutants from the Bay. As a result, today the Bay is doing much better, with vegetation now growing in areas that were once barren. We are grateful for Governor Northam’s foresight and efforts in this area, and implore him to also protect the rest of the state’s waters from environmental damage. We have seen the destruction that fossil fuel pipelines can cause to fragile ecosystems and to drinking water sources in other states. Our citizens should not be forced to hand over Virginia’s pristine landscape and safe drinking water to corporate profiteers who care little, if at all, for the well-being of our communities.

“Other states have taken a stand to stop natural gas pipelines, and now we urge Governor Northam to do the same here in Virginia. Protect our land. Protect our drinking water. Protect our legacy. Protect Virginia.”

Susan Cloeter Roanoke County Democratic Committee	Stephen Niamke Roanoke City Democratic Committee
Denise Hurst Franklin County Democratic Committee	Steve Foreman Warren County Democratic Committee
Julie Hensley Scott County Democratic Committee	April Moore Shenandoah Democratic Committee
Rebecca Daly Charlotte County Democratic Executive Committee	Steven Mcbride Salem City Democratic Committee Chair
Michelle Watkins Rockbridge County Democratic Committee Chair	Kenny Boddye Occoquan County Democratic Committee Chair
Gene Zitver Lexington City Democratic Committee Chair	Larry Stopper Nelson County Democratic Committee Chair
Ren LeVally Madison County Democratic Committee Chair	Maria Childress 6th Congressional District Democratic Committee Chair
Larry & Virginia Jackson Fauquier County Democratic Committee Chair	Dr. Frank Kober Northumberland County Democratic Committee Chair
Carol King Craig County Democratic Committee Chair	Taikein Cooper Prince Edward County Democratic Chair