The Atlantic Coast Pipeline won another key approval Friday when the U.S. Forest Service said it would permit the Dominion Energy-led project to be built through the George Washington and Monongahela national forests.
“This Forest Service decision supports federal policies emphasizing energy infrastructure, jobs, economic growth and our agency’s efforts to provide for multiple use,” the agency said.
Amendments to the management plans for the forests made necessary by the 42-inch diameter natural gas pipeline project, which will carve a 125-foot wide “construction corridor” and 50-foot wide permanent right of way through 21 miles of the forests, “provide for the continued social, economic and ecological sustainability of the involved national forests, maintain the diversity of plant and animal communities and support integrated resource management for multiple use,” the service said.
