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Comments on MVP, ACP at State Water Control Board

Comments are open until the end of May 2018, more information is here:
http://townhall.virginia.gov/L/ViewNotice.cfm?gnid=828

350 Loudoun has a collection of helpful links here:
https://350loudoun.org/comments-for-the-state-water-control-board/

Greetings SWCB.

I’m very concerned about the Atlantic Coast Pipeline, and Mountain Valley Pipeline. I do not feel that the Army Corps of Engineers NWP 12 permit is sufficient for either the MVP or ACP. DEQ must do a comprehensive, stream-by-stream water crossing analysis if the waterways and watersheds are to be protected.

We’ve already seen quite a bit of erosion in Franklin county from the construction of the MVP, and I expect that as construction continues there will be much more of this, and worse. Both the MVP and ACP cross areas with very steep slopes, and I don’t believe that erosion and runoff are being adequately evaluated, or controlled. This virtually ensures that we’ll have mudslides, and pollution entering the waterways that DEQ is charged with protecting, and that as a resident of Virginia practically my entire life, I enjoy using for various purposes like fishing and recreation.

I’m specifically concerned about water quality in the larger rivers of Virginia such as the James and Roanoke rivers, and worry that the watersheds for these two rivers would be irreparably affected by construction of these pipelines. These rivers are a source of water for many thousands of people, as well as quite a bit of biodiversity I would assume. It’s simply irresponsible to allow this kind of construction to happen to the watersheds of these rivers on such a massive scale.

In Bath County, It’s quite clear to me that various smaller waterways where karst topography is a factor would be affected leading to contaminated well water, and destruction of active fisheries.

It is unacceptable that tree felling and construction has already started on these projects. Please ensure that a thorough stream-by-stream water crossing evaluation is completed before any further work is done, as that is the only way I’m aware of to protect water quality in Virginia.

Thank you,
-Chris Tandy

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Comments at Loudoun County Public Hearing with Members of the General Assembly 1-7-2018

Good afternoon Senators, and Delegates. Thank you for taking the time to be here today.

I’m Chris. I’ve lived in Loudoun practically my entire life.

I’m extremely concerned about Virginia’s energy future, and numerous threats to the environment. Virginia ranks 37th in the county in renewable energy, at only 10.54% according to the US Department of Energy. Dominion Energy engages in PR campaigns that make it look like it is investing in solar, which would be great if it were true, but the numbers just don’t bear that out. Instead, Dominion plans to build a 42inch gas pipeline that has been condemned by every environmental group I can think of. Amanda and I have been to some of these pipeline counties in Virginia and talked to folks that would be directly affected, and I’m convinced that what’s goin on in Virginia is a far cry from justice. Imagine if you suddenly had to decide your families future where your options are something like taking a 50% hit to your property value, or living in the blast zone of a 42inch gas pipe. These things frequently explode. There were pipeline explosions in the US on November 20th in Oakland County Michigan, December 5th in Dixon IL, and December 6th near Carlsbad NM. The Dixon one killed two people, and I’m sure there have been more explosions since those. These things are dangerous, and that’s before we get to the climate impact as building these two pipelines would at least double the greenhouse gas emissions of the Commonwealth of Virginia.

I ask all of you to do what you can to stop these projects. Senator Kaine has been speaking out about the FERC approval of MVP and ACP and called it “very suspicious circumstances”, and suggested that (and I’m quoting here) “If you are active about this, please do not stop your activism.” Senator Kaine has asked the commission to grant new hearings for the Mountain Valley and Atlantic Coast pipeline projects, and were that to happen it would at least be a helpful delay.

We have to also make certain that offshore oil drilling is prevented. The Atlantic Ocean must not have a spill like we saw in 2010 at the Deepwater Horizon in the Gulf of Mexico. Spills like that aren’t really fixable. They are tragedies that threaten the livability of the planet that future generations inherit. Virginia must shift to renewable energy as aggressively as possible. That’s what I ask each of you to work on, and I hope to support you as you do.

Thank you again for your time today, and everything that you do for Loudoun County and Virginia.

Comments at Loudoun County Public Hearing with Members of the General Assembly