Doug Jackson, 202.495.3045 or doug.jackson@sierraclub.org
RICHMOND, VA -- Today, 18 Virginia legislators announced they sent a letter to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) asking the Commissioners to issue a stop work order for the fracked gas Atlantic Coast Pipeline (ACP). The letter cited the project’s cost, environmental impact, and lack of need as reasons to halt construction and reassess its justification. 22 legislators from North Carolina sent a similar letter to FERC in May asking for a stop work order while it reassesses the need for the ACP.
Specifically, the letter mentions:
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“the pipeline’s now $7.8 billion price tag would be passed on to captive ratepayers under the developers’ plans”
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“the pipeline developers have never demonstrated public need for the ACP”
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“a growing body of evidence that the developers have overstated the demand for gas”
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“the ACP is facing numerous legal challenges”
In response, Sierra Club Virginia Chapter Director Kate Addleson released the following statement:
"The fracked gas Atlantic Coast Pipeline threatens Virginia’s air, water, climate, and communities and its construction should be stopped immediately. The Sierra Club Virginia Chapter applauds these legislators for standing up to polluting corporations like Dominion Energy that are putting their profits over people. Dominion’s tight grip on Virginia politics has been well-documented and these legislators deserve tremendous credit for standing up for their constituents against Dominion’s influence.”
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The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with more than 3.5 million members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.