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MARLINTON -- The second public session in West Virginia about the proposed Atlantic Coast Pipeline project took place Thursday evening in Pocahontas County, allowing residents to share their comments with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
The FERC has published a Draft Environmental Impact Statement on the Atlantic Coast Pipeline project, and the public can comment on it through April 6.
As proposed, the $5 billion natural gas pipeline project would span five counties in West Virginia, starting in Harrison County and going through Lewis, Upshur, Randolph and Pocahontas, before going into Virginia and North Carolina. It's expected to span about 600 miles total.
Thursday's session at the Community Wellness Center in Marlinton offered multiple ways for residents to share their comments, questions or feedback, either in writing or verbally to a court stenographer. Similar sessions took place already in Elkins, as well as in Virginia and North Carolina.
All comments received by FERC during the public comment period on the draft will be included in the final Environmental Impact Statement, which is scheduled to be released in June.
"We respond to every single comment," said Gertrude Johnson, an environmental project manager with FERC, during the comment session in Elkins. She said everyone is welcome to share comments, questions or feedback in a number of ways -- electronically; on a handwritten note that's mailed to FERC; in a typed document mailed or submitted at a comment session; or orally to a stenographer during a comment session.
"All forms of comments are weighted equally," she said.
She added the comment sessions are designed to be more relaxed than a formal hearing, and this allows more residents to ask questions, view maps and get information from FERC representatives in addition to providing comments on the draft EIS.
As proposed, the Atlantic Coast Pipeline route will include about 23 miles in Upshur County, running west of Buckhannon and near Tallmansville, and about 30 miles in Randolph County. The pipeline will be 42 inches.
Pipeline representatives have estimated annual property taxes would be about $2.8 million for Randolph County and about $2.1 million for Upshur County, and the project could generate more than 17,240 temporary jobs during its construction.
Overall, he Atlantic Coast Pipeline project is expected to generate significant economic benefits across the three-state region, including more than 17,000 jobs, $2.7 billion in economic activity and $4.2 million in average annual local tax revenue during construction.
The program is part of the Atlantic Coast Pipeline, LLC, a company formed by four major U.S. energy companies: Dominion, Duke Energy, Piedmont Natural Gas and AGL Resources, which would develop, own and operate the Atlantic Coast Pipeline.
Bob Fulton, Dominion media specialist, said the draft EIS is the culmination of an extensive, two-year study on a broad range of the project's potential impacts on everything from streams and wildlife to the economy.
"This is a crucial part of the process, because we're coming down now to the final comment period of the draft EIS," Fulton said Thursday evening in a phone interview. "We're looking forward to receiving that final EIS in June, and anticipating the certificate of need this fall to move ahead with the construction process."
Fulton said Thursday's session included a mix of pipeline supporters and opponents, and he appreciates everyone sharing their input.
Project representatives have asked local leaders all along the proposed route to consider issuing resolutions to show support the project.
"Some county officials have expressed support, especially in regard to the economic development, job creation and also the goods and services that the project will bring to communities," he said.
He noted the impact of goods and services will be a big, very important factor, and it will benefit restaurants, hotels and companies that sell gravel, fencing, etc.
"The residual effect is going to be far-reaching," he said.
Don Nestor, a certified public accountant from Buckhannon with a background in the oil and gas industry, said he supports the pipeline project.
"I've seen the good that natural gas can do," Nestor said Thursday evening. "It's such an important resource that we have."
He said he's worked with a number of different companies and agencies over the years, and the industry's leaders try hard to treat landowners fairly, follow all laws and make safety a top priority.
Nestor added that he views the pipeline as something similar to an interstate or major highway -- which will attract development that can benefit the state.
"If you have a pipeline, it's an opportunity for growth," he said.
The ACP already has gained formal support from EnergySure - Standing up for Reliable Energy, a diverse coalition made up of more than 100 businesses, labor organizations and other state, local and national groups.
In 2015, the Virginia Chamber of Commerce, Virginia State Building & Construction Trades, West Virginia Chamber of Commerce, Affiliated Construction Trades Foundation, NC Chamber, and the Research Triangle Regional Partnership are among 110 business and economic development organizations to join the EnergySure coalition. In doing so, they pledge support to be part of continued public dialogue on the urgent needs met by, and the significant benefits of, the Atlantic Coast Pipeline.
Over the next 20 years, the demand for natural gas as a fuel for power generation in Virginia and North Carolina is projected to more than triple. Meanwhile, older coal-fired power plants are scheduled for retirement -- reducing capacity to generate electricity and creating an immediate need. Increased access to cleaner-burning natural gas is needed to make our region energy sure, officials say.
Some people who are opposed to the pipeline have raised concerns about the possible impacts to drinking water, wildlife, public safety, landowner rights and other topics.
Hallie Herold, whose family owns a farm near Frost, was one of the concerned citizens who shared her comments on the draft EIS.
Herold said she and many other Pocahontas County residents are worried the project could have negative impacts to the environment, as well as the tourism industry.
"The harm that it poses greatly outweighs its pathetically small benefit to our community. Pocahontas County is NO place for a pipeline," she said Thursday in an online message.
"The success of our tourism industry was built around and depends on our clean water, rolling mountains, and natural, untouched beauty," she continued. "We are lucky to live in such a wondrous place and it is our duty to protect this land."
Written comments on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement on the Atlantic Coast Pipeline project can be mailed to Kimberly D. Bose, secretary; Federal Energy Regulatory Commission; 888 First St. NE Room 1A; Washington, D.C. 20426.
Information about FERC is available online at www.ferc.gov or by calling 1-866-208-3372.