DENIED: FERC Rejects ACP Request on Tree Clearing

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Today, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) rejected a request from the builder of the fracked gas Atlantic Coast Pipeline (ACP) for more time to cut trees used by migrating birds and threatened and endangered bat species. Because certain species use the trees for nesting and protection, pipeline builders are not allowed to clear trees after certain dates. With the ACP already behind schedule, its developers requested an extension of that window, which today’s decision denies.

In Virginia, tree clearing restrictions on migrating bird habitat are lifted August 30 and September 15 for bats, unless the trees are within 5 five miles of a known hibernacula, in which case it is lifted on November 15.

In response, Sierra Club Beyond Dirty Fuels Campaign Director Kelly Martin released the following statement:

"If you give a mouse a cookie they’ll want a glass of milk. If you give Duke and Dominion the chance to cut down trees, kill wildlife, and seize private property, they’ll ask to do even more. When it comes to the fracked gas Atlantic Coast Pipeline, it seems that if you give polluting corporations an inch, they’ll take 600 miles of pristine forests and wetlands for an unnecessary pipeline that makes their shareholders rich. These pipelines are dirty, and dangerous and we need to be protecting our climate and communities, not the profits of polluting corporations. Today’s decision is a win for the people and communities in the path of this destructive project."