Va. to expand review of proposed gas pipelines

Virginia has informed federal energy regulators that it will expand its review of two proposed interstate natural gas pipelines to protect water quality beyond the stream and river crossings covered by a general federal permit.

The state Department of Environmental Quality is preparing additional conditions for certifying the protection of water quality under the Clean Water Act and submitting them for public comment in a series of hearings next month, including three on the proposed Atlantic Coast Pipeline in Harrisonburg, Farmville and Dinwiddie County.

DEQ officials say their approach will review the potential water quality effects of “every inch” of land disturbed by construction of the Atlantic Coast and Mountain Valley pipelines in Virginia, including acting on plans for erosion and sedimentation controls to ensure that streams aren’t damaged by pipeline construction on adjoining mountain slopes.