Environment and Outdoors
The company that operated a now-discontinued gasoline pipeline to Montvale says some people who live near it might hear loud noises as part of the decommissioning process. Colonial Pipeline officials say that process involves filling the line with nitrogen, and that sometimes involves a loud blowing sound. Colonial ceased operations of the spur from Richmond to Montvale in late September.
From the Colonial Pipeline website:
- Colonial has completed its final delivery on Line 25 and is in the process of decommissioning the line from service.
- Colonial will continue to maintain the decommissioned line, which runs underground from Columbia, Va., to Montvale, Va. – a distance of approximately 90 miles.
- Colonial announced in August of 2017 that the line would be taken out of service due to concerns over its long-term viability.
- Before decommissioning is complete, Colonial will purge the line of product and fill the line with an inert gas, nitrogen.
- Residents who live within a half mile of Line 25 will receive letters detailing the timing of this work and the potential for a loud blowing sound as excess nitrogen is vented from the line.
- Once the line is decommissioned, activities on the right of way that were prohibited while the line was in service will remain prohibited. This includes digging in the vicinity of the pipeline without calling 811, placing buildings on the right of way, and planting trees or large shrubs.
- Any excavation in the vicinity of the line requires a call to “811” before you dig. Pipeline markers will remain in place to designate the approximate location of the line.
- Normal maintenance activities, such as periodic inspections, aerial overflights, and mowing the right of way, will be ongoing to ensure the line’s continued safety.
- Landowners with questions about right of way activities may submit their questions to Line25@colonialpipeline.com.
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Virginia environmental regulators approved engineering plans for the Atlantic Coast Pipeline on Friday, a move that means the project has the state’s permission to begin construction.
Developers will now ask the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission for authorization to start construction in Virginia, pipeline spokesman Aaron Ruby said. Work is already underway in West Virginia, where the natural gas pipeline begins, and in North Carolina.
The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality announced late Friday afternoon it had approved the project’s erosion and sediment control, stormwater management and karst protection plans, which outline engineering designs intended to protect water quality during and after construction.
The sign-off on the plans, which had been under review for over a year, means a water quality permit takes effect and the project has Virginia’s permission to start construction along the 300 miles it will cross in the state, the department said in a statement. The terrain it will cross includes steep slopes and hundreds of water bodies.
Environmental groups have argued the plans should not be approved, and they have filed legal challenges against a number of other permits, which have led to project delays.
Virginia Secretary of Natural Resources Matthew Strickler acknowledged in a statement that the Atlantic Coast and similar Mountain Valley pipeline have “raised concerns.”
He said the plans had been carefully reviewed, modified and “intensified” before being approved.
“We remain dedicated to holding them to the highest environmental standards possible pursuant to state authorities,” Strickler said.
Ruby called the approvals a “major step forward.”
“Thousands of hardworking Virginians and local businesses across the state will soon be hard at work building this transformational project,” he said in a statement.
Richmond-based Dominion Energy is the lead developer of the pipeline, which supporters say will create jobs, lure new manufacturers to the area, lower energy costs and help utilities transition away from coal.
Opponents say it will degrade water quality, trample on property rights and commit the region to fossil fuels when it should be investing in renewable energy instead.
“We simply don’t need hundreds of miles of costly and environmentally destructive gas infrastructure to keep the lights on in Virginia, but sadly, this approval is a step toward marrying Virginia to a future of higher energy costs and volatile fossil fuels for years to come while Dominion Energy profits handsomely at our expense,” Lee Francis, deputy director of the Virginia League of Conservation Voters, said in a statement.
Developers have previously said they were aiming to have the pipeline in service during the fourth quarter of 2019. Ruby said Friday they are evaluating whether legal challenges that have led to halts in construction have had any long-term impact on that timeline.
A study of the most energy-efficient states suggests Virginia has a lot of work to do compared to a majority of the east coast. WFIR’s Ian Price has details:
The National Weather Service says Hurricane Michael may bring heavy rain and flooding to our region in the latter half of this week. One big difference between Michael and Hurricane Florence – this one is expected to move through rapidly. The current forecast track has the center of Michael likely swinging to our south and east before moving out.
From the National Weather Service in Blacksburg: Michael is now a Category 1 hurricane with winds of 75 MPH, but it is expected to intensify further. Here is the track forecast from the National Hurricane Center. Michael will pose a heavy rain and flooding threat to our area during the latter half of this week.
NORFOLK, Va. (AP) — The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has suspended a permit the Mountain Valley Pipeline needs to cross Virginia waterways. The Corps’ Norfolk district sent a letter Friday to the company developing the pipeline, saying it was putting the permit on hold because of uncertainty following a federal court ruling earlier this week.
That ruling from the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals tossed a water-crossings permit issued by a West Virginia district of the Corps. Environmental groups have since asked federal regulators to halt all construction activity on the $4.6 billion project. The letter says the Norfolk District finds it appropriate to “await clarity.”
Developers are aiming to finish the project by the fourth quarter of 2019. A series of court challenges from environmental groups have led to previous delays.
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — A bald eagle that was found in Virginia with serious injuries has recuperated at a wildlife center and is set to be released.
The Wildlife Center of Virginia plans to release the eagle Friday in Westmoreland County. A private citizen found the eagle along the Potomac River in August with what appeared to be an injured wing due to a possible fight with another eagle.
The eagle was treated at the Wildlife Center where it was found to be dehydrated, infested with lice and suffering a deep puncture wound on its triceps. The center said the eagle, believed to be about two years old, has recovered and is ready to be released.
Pesticide use caused Virginia’s bald eagle population to plummet in the 1970s. It now is on the rebound.
Several days ago Audrey Pearson was formally named the new executive director for Friends of the Blue Ridge Parkway, after serving in an interim capapcity for several months. Speaking live in-studio this morning Pearson says the Roanoke-based “Friends” would like to get more people involved. Friends of the Blue Ridge Parkway supports the National Park Service in maintaining the parkway. Hear our complete live interview below:
NORFOLK, Va. (AP) — Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam says his state is well positioned to lead the development of the nation’s offshore wind industry. The Democrat spoke Friday in Norfolk at a conference sponsored by industry members and Virginia’s Sierra Club chapter. Dominion Energy and the Danish firm Orsted already plan to install two turbines 27 miles (43 kilometers) off the coast for a pilot project. But Northam said Virginia has the capacity for offshore turbines to generate power for 500,000 homes. Northam cited Virginia’s location and deep expertise in shipbuilding and other trades as reasons why it could also support manufacturing. He added that 14,000 jobs could ultimately support the industry in Virginia. Northam said Virginia “has a clear opportunity to act as a change agent in driving the development of U.S. offshore wind.”