Dear Editor:
Greetings from FERC-101 the center of understanding 42” pipeline construction and operation at ferc101-blogspot.com. Our free online course is continually updated with government and industry facts on the known health hazards and safety issues of pipeline development and operation.
The three most popular courses are on the Federal Laws, the FERC Process and all Dominion policy issues.
Dozens of federal laws exist to protect our recreation areas, scenic areas, historical places, waterways and the quality of our air, water and industrial noise issues.
Our responsibility should be to know these laws, understand them and be certain that they are followed. Obviously the next step is to write a letter, send an email or sign an petition – dozens of them, seriously.
Understanding the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s [FERC} schedule involving overseeing Dominion’s environmental assessment is a difficult challenge and a very important one to tackle. Why? Because It is seemingly impossible to figure out where Dominion actually is within the FERC process as described by FERC in their own words from their own minutes from various project Scoping Meetings.
FERC typically moves along with their process of review without announcing meetings to the public. Before the first Scoping Meeting at Dominion’s Cove Point in Maryland in October 2012, FERC neither announced the meeting in the local newspaper or mailed the federally required announcements to the neighborhoods affected. Needless to say the local people were not pleased.
We need to be, as a they say, “on our toes”, and not be “asleep at the wheel”. We need to be pro-active and know what is going on where we live. We cannot sit back and allow Dominion Power of VA, EQT of TX and Spectra Energy from FL put a line across a map and do as they please with our quality of life.
Please understand one truth. In April 2014 Dominion announced in a press release the “open season” for SEPIPELINE. They stated they had contacted all the affected counties, supplying local officials with detailed maps and information. Really?
If this is a true statement then why did myself and Ed Wade, Jr. of the Wetzel County Action group give the first presentation three months later on July 1, 2014 at the Pocahontas County Commissioners meeting? Why are we scheduled on Aug. 7 to speak at the Randolph County Commissioners meeting in Elkins?
Why did I explain the details of SEPIPELINE to the Mill Creek Town Council in Randolph County on July 10? The answer is because the mayor’s office was receiving calls from residents asking questions about the Dominion land men making offers to lease their land for a pipeline.
As stated, Dominion representatives have yet to meet with anyone in Randolph or Pocahontas County, although SEPIPELINE’s route path is through both counties.
There will be a Public Meeting at the Durbin Fire Hall on Aug. 7 at 6 p.m. and a road trip is planed to speak at the August meeting of “Friends of Nelson County, VA” who are utilizing our “Pipeline “42” video on youtube to educate their residents.
Are you familiar with the Greenbrier Pipeline? Probably not because it was stopped by Raleigh County in 2002 with HCR17. The impetus was the probable permanent destruction of the New River. Look it up!
An Extra Credit Class at FERC-101 is to list all of the rivers and streams in Randolph County and Pocahontas County affected by the proposed pipelines. Protecting one river 12 years ago stopped a 280-mile interstate pipeline to North Carolina. Can we do it again? Yes.
Elected officials reading this – how about a bill to “nip this in the bud.”
Sincerely,
Lauren Ragland
WV Wilderness Lovers
vs. Proposed Pipelines