EIS for Atlantic Coast Pipeline restoration still on schedule at FERC

A draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) for restoration of the Atlantic Coast Pipeline route is still on track to be released by the end of July, according to conversations ABRA had this week with key staff at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. FERC announced in May that it intended to prepare a SEIS that assesses the potential impacts on the environment of the restoration plans for the now abandoned Atlantic Coast Pipeline and the related Supply Header Project (SHP). FERC’s May 4 Notice set out a schedule for a draft SEIS to be released in July, with a final SEIS published by November 19, 2021. The Authorization Decision Deadline FERC has set for the project is February 17, 2022. Restoration work cannot commence until sometime after that date.

The draft SEIS for the ACP and SHP is based on plans for the two projects that were previously submitted to FERC. The ACP plan was filed by Atlantic Coast Pipeline, LLC (Atlantic) with FERC on January 4. The SHP plan was filed with FERC by Eastern Gas Transmission and Storage, Inc. (EGTS, the Berkshire Hathaway subsidiary that purchased Dominion Energy’s gas transmission assets) on November 20. Public comments on the plans were submitted to FERC in April.

A Notice of Availability of the draft supplemental EIS for public comment will be sent to the FERC environmental mailing list and will also be accessible on the FERC website. ABRA will advise those on our mailing list of the draft SEIS as soon as it is available.

ABRA CONSERVATION HUB

ABRA’s Conservation Hub program promotes responsible resource management by providing access to critical information needed for effective public involvement in environmental review and oversight.

Following the defeat of the Atlantic Coast Pipeline in 2020, ABRA initiated the Conservation Hub to support informed public engagement with the broader range of environmental issues confronting the Allegheny-Blue Ridge Mountain region. The Conservation Hub builds on the analysis and information sharing capacity achieved through ABRA’s Pipeline CSI project during the years of ACP opposition.

The Conservation Hub is based on the use of GIS mapping to provide details and context for land development projects and management practices that involve risk of environmental harm, as well as for environmental preservation and restoration initiatives. The Conservation Hub also provides access to regulatory documents and assessments related to specific projects or issues.

Multiple Conservation Hub sites, focused on individual projects or issues, have been developed collaboratively with ABRA’s partners and allies. Going forward, we invite conservation groups, individuals, and communities to provide ideas for new Hub sites and GIS mapping that can contribute to informed public engagement on behalf of environmental integrity in the Allegheny-Blue Ridge region.