US seeks Supreme Court ruling on outcome of Atlantic Coast Pipeline
Friday, June 28, 2019
U.S. Solicitor General Noel Francisco has asked the Supreme Court to review a decision by the Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit that vacated permits for Dominion Energy Inc.’s $7.5 billion Atlantic Coast pipeline, according to Bloomberg.
In its previous ruling, the appeals court determined the U.S. Forest Service violated the National Forest Management Act when it granted permits for the Atlantic Coast Pipeline, stating the agency lacked the authority to make the decision. However, in his recent filing to the Supreme Court, Francisco argued that the appeals court misread the National Trails System Act.
Since the beginning, the Atlantic Coast has seen its start date delayed and its price tag grow. Even still, Dominion, which is developing Atlantic Coast with Duke Energy Corp. and Southern Co., has stuck to the plan despite the setbacks.
Learn more: Yahoo Finance > U.S. seeks Supreme Court hearing on Atlantic Coast Pipeline plan
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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.