Dominion to resume construction on Atlantic Coast pipeline in third quarter
Monday, May 13, 2019
Dominion Energy recently announced plans to resume work on the Atlantic Coast natural gas pipeline from West Virginia to North Carolina in the third quarter to have it completed by early 2021, according to Reuters.
However, the company still needs to resolve two major legal challenges before it can complete the pipeline, which was put on hold last year.
Construction stopped in early December after the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit stayed a permit from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service that authorized building the pipe in areas inhabited by threatened or endangered species. Oral arguments in the case were presented on May 9 and a decision is expected within 90 days. A decision in favor of Dominion would allow it to restart partial construction in the third quarter.
The company is also seeking an order from the U.S. Supreme Court overturning a Fourth Circuit decision that invalidated the U.S. Forest Service’s authorization to build the pipe across the Appalachian Trail.
Learn more: Reuters > Dominion to resume work on U.S. Atlantic Coast natgas pipe in third quarter
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Shale FAQ
What is fracking?
Fracking is a slang term for hydraulic fracturing. Fracturing is a process by which highly pressurized fluid is pumped thousands of feet into the ground to fracture rock formations. The goal is to release the natural gas that’s locked inside the rock.
Is it safe?
What most concerns people about fracturing is ground water contamination. The worry is that fractures underground, caused by the process, will extending upwards and into aquifers, releasing gas and chemicals into the ground water supply. There’s been no confirmed reports of such a thing happening. Though surface spills and drill site blowouts can lead to localized environmental concerns.
Will my water catch on fire?
Flammable water is caused by the release of methane gas into a drinking water supply. Methane gas occurs naturally and can be released by any kind of drilling, including water wells. In Pennsylvania officials fined Chesapeake Energy $1 million for contaminating ground water with methane. It was determined that the company had not properly cemented it’s boreholes and gas migrated up the well, between rock and into aquifers.