(RICHMOND, VA)—The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) late last week ordered a halt to Atlantic Coast Pipeline work after the U.S. Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals vacated key pipeline permits, including one that had authorized the pipeline to cross the Blue Ridge Parkway. Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF) Virginia Assistant Director and Senior Attorney Peggy Sanner issued the following statement.
"We applaud FERC and the Court for these important decisions. While work on the Atlantic Coast Pipeline is stopped for now, the halt is only temporary. Next week's water quality certification decision by Virginia's State Water Control Board is more important than ever. On August 21, the Board will carefully consider how to address the risks this pipeline poses to clean water in Virginia. Rather than the current plan of relying on a one-size-fits all permit, we can only safeguard our waters by requiring reviews and protections of individual pipeline stream crossings."
