Waterkeepers across the region celebrated the news of the Atlantic Coast Pipeline’s cancellation earlier this month, including your Pamlico-Tar Riverkeeper, Jill Howell. Jill is quoted in this article from Waterkeeper Alliance gathering the reactions of Waterkeepers:

“In August 2018, Southern Environmental Law Center (SELC) filed suit on behalf of us at Sound Rivers and a number of other groups against the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) for authorizing the pipeline without proper consideration of the impacts or public need. The same month, Sound Rivers, Winyah Rivers Alliance, Cape Fear River Watch, and Sierra Club launched North Carolina Pipeline Watch, a construction monitoring program that trained volunteers and member staff to monitor pipeline construction for violations of commonsense environmental protections required by state and federal permits by air, land, and water. This included reporting of violations to applicable regulatory agencies.

The cancellation of the ACP is a testament to the power of people when they organize and persevere, even in the face of billion dollar companies. Had this project been completed, it would have disproportionately impacted communities of color and low income communities, threatened the health of our waterways, and further entrenched the fossil fuel industry for decades to come. Unfortunately, in North Carolina tree clearing occurred along the route, and the pipeline was installed beneath the Tar River. We’ll celebrate this win, but the fight is not over as we now turn our attention to holding Duke and Dominion accountable in restoring impacted areas.”

– Jill Howell, Pamlico-Tar Riverkeeper