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By: Ethan Schiffour Summary: The Atlantic coast pipeline was a natural gas pipeline that would have stretched 600 miles across North Carolina, West Virginia and Virginia or the Appalachian Trail. The Atlantic coast pipeline was first announced in 2014 and was being created by Duke energy and Dominion energy. The pipeline was supposed to bring natural gas to homes in the three states mentioned. The pipeline’s cost was projected to be around $5 billion dollars, but through production of the pipeline being on and off the pipeline’s finish would have cost around $8 billion dollars. The Atlantic coast pipeline has received a great deal of setbacks and had to deal with lawsuits from environmental groups. The concern that people had with the pipeline was that it would cost a great amount of money and that the pipeline wasn’t necessarily needed. The pipeline would also run through many waterways and communities, such as many different Native American communities. Duke and Dominion energy had fought for the pipeline saying it would bring more energy to homes and families. The two energy companies also claimed it would bring industry to the counties that the pipeline would pass through though those were false claims. Duke energy had hoped to have completed the pipeline by 2021, but the production of the pipeline had been cancelled in July of 2020 because of the legal battles and the growth of the cost of the pipeline. Why we should care? I think we should care about this topic because it covers many important issues in environmental science. It covers environmental justice as many minority communities would have been affected by the building and completion of the Atlantic coast pipeline.  Photo Credit: https://insideclimatenews.org/news/18052018/atlantic-coast-pipeline-natural-gas-civil-rights-environmental-justice-epa Example Article. https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/05/business/atlantic-coast-pipeline-cancel-dominion-energy-berkshire-hathaway.html I found this particular article interesting because the article gave background information on what the Atlantic coast pipeline is, while also explaining the production and the reasons for cancellation of the pipeline. The article draws in statements from both Duke and Dominion energy while also giving statements from the environmental groups that had protested and took legal action against the building of the pipeline. The article was able to visualize for the reader the importance of whether this pipeline was built or not. The article also explains what actions Dominion energy had taken in selling many natural gas assets to affiliates of Warren Buffet. Science in Action.
Dr. Drew Shindell is a professor of Earth Science at Duke University's Nicholas School of the Environment. Drew Shindell does research on world climate and has been studying the plan for clean energy and how to curb dangerous greenhouse gases. Shindell would like the state to permanently stop building natural gas infrastructure. Including stopping the use of natural gas power plants and stopping the building of infrastructure like the Atlantic coast pipeline. Shindell explains that natural gas most companies use is methane and that it can leak and cause problems for the environment. Shindell also explains how the use of natural gas will cause greater costs for consumers, while causing harm to vulnerable communities.
11 Comments
Hunter Cook
12/3/2020 12:15:39
I hear stories about large energy companies, such as the Dakota Access Pipeline, legally desecrating lands with cultural and environmental significance, so reading this article slightly redeemed by faith in justice for the land and its people. The end result may have been different if this pipeline was deemed necessary, but fortunately, it was not and therefore construction was shutdown.
Grace Young
12/3/2020 14:47:02
It is slightly frustrating that the only reason the pipe was not built was because it cost too much. There are plenty of other reasons why the pipeline didn't need to happen as it wasn't necessary but only until the price became too high they decided against it. I mean I'm not surprised as most big companies only seem to care about money but I wish there was more thought put into environmental impact.
Jenna Steele
12/3/2020 20:48:14
Hey Ethan, your blog post was amazing! But it was also very frustrating to read at the same time. The fact that they would be spending over 5 billion dollars on something that isn't needed and could potentially ruin Native American land is extremely concerning to me. It seems as though there was some public discontent with the project and that the company still tried to install the pipeline, made me very upset. It shows that they were just trying to make a profit when the residents did not want it or need it necessarily. I'm very glad that they did not install it because of the legal battles meaning someone, took a stand against it.
Ella F
12/4/2020 09:59:05
Hi Ethan,
Elizabeth Carlson
12/7/2020 19:19:53
This article was very informative! I particularly enjoyed the part about Dr. Drew Shindell. Shindell states that natural gas will cost consumers more and effect the health of vulnerable communities. The doctor urges the stop of building natural gas infrastructure and the use of the existing power plants and I think this is a sharp dose of the reality that we need.
Zane Hammoud
12/7/2020 20:35:19
I really enjoyed reading your post! I think it is absolutely absurd that everything in this world is just about cutting corners and saving a penny. What they fail to realize is that this project will probably cut costs in the future for our children! Our politicians have this issue where they only think about the present and how it affects their term in office. It is better to see better results in the future to protect our children. 12/12/2020 14:35:18
This topic is something I have not heard about. However, I do find it frustrating that the money for this pipeline could have gone to much better causes. Like the small environmental groups that fought against it. Especially if the pipeline was not necessarily needed.
Connor Edelstein
12/12/2020 18:29:21
It almost always seems like an energy company trying to put in pipelines will say that due to new technologies their pipeline will not fail. Yet time and time again these pipelines are failing. On top of the almost inevitable failures, these pipelines take up tons of land, resources, and can have significant cultural impact. It is quite concerning, and it is one of the many reasons to consider renewable/perpetual energy sources.
Jessica Sabatini
12/14/2020 10:00:03
Hi Ethan! This is pretty privileged of Duke energy. Native and Indigenous people have already been through so much and received very little in reparations for what has happened. Their communities/reserves are what they hold near and dear because it is all they have of U.S. land left since it was stolen from them. I think they should consider new areas to put the pipeline if anything.
Ivy Eifert
12/14/2020 20:26:41
Hi Ethan!
Melissa Davila Castro
12/15/2020 17:14:33
I am happy to know that the Atlantic Coast Pipeline is no longer being built, not only is it an unnecessary project that would harm the environment and the people living in the area but because it is so wide spread if it were to leak it could lead to serious damage. It is sad to know that the only reason they stopped construction is being of high costs but I guess that is what is really important to them. Leave a Reply. |
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