Legislators seek increase in pipeline-related public meetings
Grumbling spread through the region last year after the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission held only two public meetings in Virginia tied to the commissions early review of the controversial Mountain Valley Pipeline project.
Regional officials and pipeline opponents hope that pattern wont repeat now that FERC is on the cusp of releasing a draft environmental impact statement for the proposed natural gas transmission pipeline.
An Aug. 8 letter from U.S. Reps. Morgan Griffith, Bob Goodlatte and Robert Hurt, all Republicans, asks the commission to hold multiple public meetings in communities in Virginia along the pipeline route after the release of the draft environmental impact statement.
The letter noted, Given the size and significance of this project, and the importance of accurately addressing all environmental concerns, it is imperative that affected communities along the path of the proposed pipeline be granted ample opportunity to evaluate the draft EIS, provide substantive input, voice their opinions and solicit feedback from FERC.
Read more: http://www.roanoke.com/business/news/franklin_county/legislators-seek-increase-in-pipeline-related-public-meetings/article_3e09a054-3679-572c-83a4-649bf0c565a0.html