RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Regulators in Virginia have delayed voting on a permit for a natural gas pumping station in a historic African-American community after raising questions about environmental justice issues.
The Washington Post reports the Virginia State Air Pollution Control Board on Friday delayed its vote until Dec. 10.
The pumping station is part of the 600-mile Atlantic Coast Pipeline being built in West Virginia, Virginia and North Carolina by a coalition led by Dominion Energy.
Board members questioned environmental officials about whether race and income in the Union Hill community were considered in their recommendation to approve the permit. State law requires that such facilities not have a disproportionate impact on vulnerable communities.
Officials said they believe stringent air pollution controls would keep the station from emitting harmful levels of gases.
