Virginia citizens and business-owners have extended an invitation to Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe to visit Nelson County and tour the proposed route of Dominion’s Atlantic Coast Pipeline. In an invitation delivered yesterday, the governor was invited to meet with citizens and business and property owners who would be impacted by the construction and operation of the 42-inch, high-pressure natural gas pipeline.
The invitation, signed by over 1,200 Virginia residents, reads “(We) would really appreciate your taking the time to travel along the proposed route to meet and speak with your constituents on the frontline of the proposed demolition. Your visit will introduce you to landowners along the route and could include a public forum with a question and answer session and meetings with local officials and business leaders.”
“We would love for the governor to come and meet the many people who have asked for his help. Given his statements on the ACP regarding protecting the environment and homeowners and his failure so far to act on our behalf, we think that there must be a disconnect somewhere,” said Joanna Salidis, president of Friends of Nelson.
“The governor could help us in numerous ways, even if he persists in justifying the pipeline on economic grounds. For example, he could insist that the erosion and storm water construction plans be made publicly available, or that the ACP be included in a comprehensive, regional review of proposed pipelines to go through the Blue Ridge and Appalachian Mountains, instead of studied in isolation. Perhaps most importantly, Governor McAuliffe could add his voice to the many insisting that Dominion reduce its impact on private property and pristine environments and use more existing rights of way. Plus, surely he would have a great time, because Nelson really is a special place,” she added.
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Chris Graham
