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BUCKHANNON -- Portions of Upshur County expected to be exposed to the proposed Atlantic Coast Pipeline could see work beginning by early next year.
Buckhannon Mayor David McCauley said project construction within the northwest to the southeast section of the county could begin in March, and it is estimated to be completed by the end of next year.
McCauley said there would be a lot of activity on the Brushy Fork Road area, and then the pipeline would cut through south of Buckhannon, across the Buckhannon River.
As proposed, the Atlantic Coast Pipeline route will begin in Harrison County and travel southeast about 100 miles before crossing into Virginia and then continuing into eastern North Carolina. One mile will be located in southwestern Harrison County and about 20 miles will be located in northwest Lewis County.
The pipeline route will include about 23 miles in Upshur County, running south of Buckhannon and Tallmansville; about 30 miles in southwestern Randolph County; and about 25 miles in Pocahontas County near Slatyfork and Dunmore. The pipeline will be 42 inches running underground.
Dominion Energy is the company that plans to build and operate the 600-mile pipeline, along with Duke Energy, Piedmont Natural Gas and Southern Company Gas.
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has granted approval for the ACP project to move forward, and a range of business and political leaders back the project, saying the pipeline will lower energy costs and boost economic development.
Some concerned citizens and environmental groups opposed to the pipeline have raised concerns about the possible impacts to drinking water, public safety, wildlife, landowner rights, construction impact in rural areas and other topics.
After weighing the benefits and detriments, McCauley said Buckhannon leaders opted to cooperate with the ACP venture, all while receiving benefits to the water system.
"Over the long haul, (this will) keep us from having to raise our own water rates anytime soon," he said. "Basically, what we might have realized from additional rate increases in the years to come, we're going to have the immediate benefit of making improvements to our water system."
Pipeline representatives have estimated annual property tax revenue would be about $2.1 million for Upshur County; $2.8 million for Randolph County; and about $1.8 million for Pocahontas County once the project is completed.
McCauley noted Upshur County would essentially receive a $2 million grant.
Though some local folks have been vocally opposed to the pipeline passing through the area, McCauley said it's "not at a level of organization that other areas have seen."
With Buckhannon being recently selected as greenest and most sustainable community in the state by the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection, McCauley said he hopes Buckhannon can still carry that badge.