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May 29, 2018

MSCI, Energy Builders Letter Outlines Why The Atlantic Coast Pipeline Is So Important

A recent ruling by the Virginia State Water Control Board, which opens the door to reassessment of construction permits already issued by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) for the Atlantic Coast Pipeline (ACP), threatens thousands of U.S. jobs. That’s why the Metals Service Center Institute last week joined a coalition of more than 25 trade organizations and labor unions to send a letter to Virginia Governor Ralph Northam asking that he encourage the state Board and the Department of Environmental Quality to reaffirm the previously-issued permits and allow construction to continue as planned.

Federal permits were issued for ACP after the project’s developers spent more than three years devising the safest and most environmentally responsible route for the pipeline. During the process, more than 300 route adjustments were made to avoid environmentally sensitive areas such as wetlands, wildlife habitats, drinking water sources, and sensitive geologic features. The Energy Equipment and Infrastructure Alliance (EEIA) organized the letter.

EEIA President Toby Mack said, “If this opposition rearguard action were to stand, permits for any Virginia construction project involving water crossings, including roads, bridges, electric transmission lines or virtually any form of infrastructure can now be called into question.” According to EEIA, ACP will benefit the Virginia economy and the state’s communities and it will increase the availability of more affordable and cleaner burning natural gas.

Specifically, the ACP will:

  • Create more than 17,000 jobs from construction subcontractors and equipment sellers to hotels and restaurants;
  • Generate $28 million a year in local tax revenue for schools, roads, public safety, and other vital local services; and
  • Save $377 million annually in energy cost savings, all while using cleaner-burning natural gas.

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