FERC Assessment Concludes Alternative Project Would Be More Technically, Economically Feasible

Two different methane gas pipeline companies are competing to expand their infrastructure into NC counties (Rockingham and adjacent counties). The companies have proposed pipelines coming from opposite directions, but a federal agency concludes one of the pipelines would be more technically and economically feasible.

The Two Companies

The first pipeline, Transco, comes north from the Gulf Coast with an existing pipeline. The company wants to build a larger, high-pressure parallel pipeline along parts of its North Carolina route in order to increase its pumping capacity. That project, affecting parts of Davidson, Forsyth, Guilford, and Rockingham counties, is called the Southeast Supply Enhancement Project (SSEP).

The second pipeline  – the Mountain Valley Pipeline (MVP) – originates in West Virginia and cuts its way southeast across Virginia to Pittsylvania County, across the state line from NC’s Rockingham County. The MVP company wants to build an extension across the state line into Rockingham known as MVP Southgate extension.

Which Pipeline Is “Better”?

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) completed its Environmental Assessment of Southgate, and concluded that the Transco project could provide the same methane gas supplies to the region. The report says,

“We conclude the Transco System Alternative would be technically and economically feasible and practical. Further, we conclude that the Transco System Alternative would provide an environmental advantage over the proposed Amendment Project [MVP Southgate] because the SSE Project [Transco’s Southeast Supply Enhancement Project] could supply both its own customers and Mountain Valley’s customers with a single pipeline instead of two separate and similar pipelines, thereby significantly reducing environmental effects.”

Environmental Justice Implications

Both pipeline projects are vigorously opposed by local residents and groups concerned with air and water pollution and climate change. 

“Southgate’s developers inflicted harm on all communities within the path of their violation-riddled [MVP] mainline, and should not be granted more permission to extend that harm into North Carolina,” said Jessica Sims, Virginia Field Coordinator for Appalachian Voices. “North Carolinians have never wanted [MVP Southgate],” said Caroline Hansley, Campaign Organizing Strategist with the Sierra Club. “The only ones who are pushing for this pipeline are the MVP developers who will make billions from polluting our communities’ air and water while harming our health. FERC must deny this amendment and protect our communities.” 

Crystal Cavalier-Keck, co-founder of 7 Directions of Service, an organization focused on environmental justice and indigenous rights, emphasized the pipeline’s harmful effects on people in the area. “MVP’s proposed extension of its pipeline into North Carolina … is now within half a mile of another dangerous proposed pipeline, Transco SSEP, and the burden on our communities will only be compounded,” said Cavalier-Keck. 

Neither Pipeline is Good for Pocketbooks, People, Planet

We – along with many other NC citizen groups – have criticized both pipeline proposals as part of an unnecessary, costly, and environmentally damaging buildout of methane gas infrastructure. Our state energy needs could be provided at lower cost and with far less pollution by a combination of solar and wind generation, backed up by utility-scale battery storage facilities. Instead, greedy companies like Duke Energy refuse to transition to renewable technology.

That’s why our work is so important. We are working to hold companies and elected officials accountable when they choose profit over people. We work with organizations across the state to advocate for a just, timely transition to renewable energy; but we need your help. Make sure you’re signed up to receive our “Action Alerts.” These alerts provide an important and meaningful opportunity to advocate right to your inbox!

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