The Atlantic Coast Pipeline was cancelled last week, but 80,000 large steel pipes have been stored improperly for over four years, posing an immediate risk of toxic air and water exposures to multiple communities and increasing the risk of a catastrophic gas explosion if the pipes are used at another project. That’s according to a report by a career state regulator being filed today with NC Department of Environmental Quality secretary Michael Regan.
Duke Energy Gas Expansion
Duke Energy is planning a massive increase in its burning of natural gas to produce electricity. This would be a climate disaster because of the large amounts of super-potent methane that leak unburned from gas operations, particularly fracking. Recent science from the United Nations and others show that new gas infrastructure is incompatible with the goal of preventing catastrophic climate change. Read more here and in the news items below about NC WARN’s work to block Duke’s fracking gas future.
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Here’s what you need to know about the Atlantic Coast Pipeline cancellation — The Daily Tar Heel
The Atlantic Coast Pipeline has been canceled amid economic uncertainty following years of controversy. Since 2014, the 600-mile natural gas pipeline that would have crossed eastern North Carolina has sparked debate on its environmental and economic impact.
Atlantic Coast Pipeline’s demise won’t halt natural gas — The Enterprise
The proposed natural gas pipeline through eastern North Carolina is dead. Long live natural gas! Admittedly, there won’t be a coronation ceremony like there would be if a living monarch were replacing a deceased one.But when it comes to reliable, affordable and environmentally friendly ways to power a 21st-century economy, natural gas is still king. Its reign will continue for many decades, despite the successful effort by left-wing activists to litigate the Atlantic Coast Pipeline to death.
Is proposed pipeline through Triad in trouble? — Winston-Salem Journal
Critics of a proposed natural gas pipeline through the Triad’s eastern perimeter say it could meet an end similar to the recently scrapped Atlantic Coast Pipeline. The same economic and societal forces that doomed the so-called ACP could affect the proposed MVP Southgate pipeline in Rockingham and Alamance counties, they believe.
Dominion and Duke Energy Abandon Atlantic Coast Pipeline — The Grey Area News
“We hope the cancellation of the ACP will soon be followed by a move by both of these corporations to stop building gas-fired generation, and to begin replacing all existing coal and gas-fired power with the cheaper, more reliable approach: renewables matched with storage and energy-saving and balancing programs.”
Duke, Dominion Cancel Contested Atlantic Coast Pipeline — NPR
Jim Warren of NC WARN – a frequent Duke critic – said he hopes the two big utilities also will stop building gas-fired power plants and speed up adoption of solar and wind energy and battery storage.
Cancellation of ACP costs Robeson County Revenue, Jobs — The Robesonian
“Jubilation!” said Jim Warren, NC WARN executive director. “We hope the cancellation of the Atlantic Coast fracked gas pipeline will soon be followed by a move by both of these corporations to stop building gas-fired generation, and to begin replacing all existing coal and gas-fired power with the cheaper, more reliable approach: renewables matched with storage and energy-saving and balancing programs.”
How Anti-Pipeline Protesters Made the Fossil Fuel Industry Face Economic Reality — New Republic
Subtle market tweaks can do some good to decarbonize the energy system, but for keeping fossil fuels in the ground and preventing new infrastructure, the simpler solution may just be to give ’em hell.
The death of a pipeline — NC Policy Watch
“We hope the cancellation of the ACP will soon be followed by a move by both of these corporations to stop building gas-fired generation, and to begin replacing all existing coal and gas-fired power with the cheaper, more reliable approach: renewables matched with storage and energy-saving and balancing programs.” -Jim Warren
Self-inflicted wounds, lost economic development: What’s next for Duke Energy after the Atlantic Coast Pipeline’s demise — Charlotte Business Journal
Environmental groups cheered, some public officials expressed regret while others appear ready to simply move on as Duke Energy Corp. announced it and Dominion Energy Inc. have given up on the $8 billion Atlantic Coast Pipeline.