Today, Governor McAuliffe announced his support for the Atlantic Coast Pipeline, a collaborative project between Dominion Power, AGL Resources, Duke Energy, and Piedmont Natural Resources to build a natural gas pipeline that will fully bisect our Commonwealth.
Virginia League Executive Director Michael Town released this statement:
“In his nearly nine months in office, Governor McAuliffe has laid groundwork to make Virginia a cleaner, safer place to raise a family; and we thank him for that progress. However, we are troubled that the Governor would support the Atlantic Coast Pipeline, a project that by many measures is of dubious value. Governor McAuliffe has committed to building a 21st century economy for Virginia, and any forward-thinking plan should depend upon investments in renewable energy and efficiency rather than outmoded reliance on fossil fuels. “
“Dominion and its industry partners appear willing to invest billions on outdated ideas that will threaten Virginia’s natural landscape – with an outcome of a paltry 188 long-term jobs. It appeared that there were a greater number of industry lobbyists at today’s press conference than the number of permanent jobs created by this venture. “
Town continued, “The Virginia League is especially concerned with the impacts this project will have on the local communities disrupted by the pipeline, its degradation of vast areas of wilderness and its threat to the public lands in the George Washington National Forest.”
“Furthermore, the number of permanent jobs created by the project – a mere 188 – pales in comparison to jobs that would be created by renewable projects such as offshore wind off Virginia’s coast. It is time for Virginia to lead in renewable energy jobs; not only to create a truly robust 21st economy, but to also reduce the impacts of climate change on Virginia’s vulnerable communities. The Virginia League joins the countless voices of opposition to this project; our state’s citizens, landowners, conservation groups and more.
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