The Independent View: The Atlantic Coast Pipeline (ACP)

the Atlantic Coast Pipeline (ACP) is a Disastrous Fracked Gas Mega-Pipeline set to cut through West Virginia, Virginia, and North Carolina. The Project would Devastate Communities, Cultures, and Ecosystems along its Route, and Wreck the Climate.

Despite intense Community Opposition, significant Project Timeline Delays, Soaring Costs, and Several Different Legal Efforts to Block the Pipeline, the Fossil Fuel Industry is still trying to Force this Project Forward, propelled by Financing from Wall Street Bank of America.

Next week, as Bank of America Shareholders come together for the Bank’s Annual General Meeting in North Carolina, we’ll be Delivering Tens of Thousands of Petition Signatures to the Bank’s Leadership. This is our Best Chance to Showcase the Immense Public Outrage and Opposition to this Devastating Project.

If Completed, the ACP would be 600 Miles long and carry enough Fracked Gas to generate over 67 Million metric tons of Climate Pollution per year.

That’s the equivalent of 20 Average U.S. Coal Plants. The Pipeline would also require 38 Miles of Mountaintop Removal and Damage Broad Swaths of Farm and Forest Land, threatening Livelihoods and Health.

Already, the Pipeline, jointly Owned by Dirty Energy Utilities Dominion Energy, Duke Energy, and Southern Company, is Two years Behind Schedule and an Estimated $1.9 to $2.7 Billion Over its Planned Budget.

Given the lack of Growth in Gas Demand and the Increased Affordability of Renewable Energy Options, the ACP faces Fundamental Challenges to its Financial Viability. The Pipeline Project also faces Extensive Legal and Regulatory Challenges that are Delaying Construction and Raising Costs.

The Pipeline would Disproportionately harm Poor, African-American, and Indigenous Communities. Thirty Thousand Native Peoples Live in Census Tracts considered Part of the Project Area in North Carolina alone. A Fracked Gas Compressor Station, one of the Largest ever to be Built, is set to be Located in Union Hill, an African-American Community of great Historical and Cultural Significance to Virginia.

The Planet and the People cannot afford even One more Gas Pipeline to be Built, and we need to Stop the ACP in its Tracks. Action from People like us has Convinced Big Banks to Stop Funding Pipelines, time and time again. This is our Chance to Stop the ACP and Protect Communities and the Climate.