20180917-3025 FERC PDF (Unofficial) 09/17/2018

FEDERAL ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20426

OFFICE OF ENERGY PROJECTS

In Reply Refer To:
OEP/DG2E/Gas Branch 4
Atlantic Coast Pipeline, LLC
Atlantic Coast Pipeline
Dominion Energy Transmission, Inc.
Supply Header Project
Docket Nos. CP15-554-000,
CP15-554-001, and CP15-555-000
September 17, 2018
Mr. Matthew R. Bley
Director, Gas Transmission Certificates
Dominion Energy Transmission, Inc.
707 East Main Street
Richmond, VA 23219
Re:

Lifting of Stop Work Order

Dear Mr. Bley:
On August 10, 2018, Commission staff directed Atlantic Coast Pipeline, LLC
(Atlantic) and Dominion Energy Transmission, Inc. (DETI) to cease construction of the
Atlantic Coast Pipeline (ACP) and Supply Header Project (SHP) as a consequence of the
United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit’s order vacating certain federal
authorizations required for the projects. Specifically, the court vacated a right-of-waypermit by the Department of the Interior’s National Park Service (NPS) authorizing the
construction of the ACP across the Blue Ridge Parkway, and the court provided rationale
for its May 15, 2018 order vacating the Incidental Take Statement issued by the U.S. Fish
and Wildlife Service (FWS).
On September 11, 2018, the FWS issued a revised Biological Opinion (BO),
which included a modified Incidental Take Statement, for the ACP and SHP.1
Additionally, on September 14, 2018, the NPS issued a new right-of-way permit for
crossing the Blue Ridge Parkway.2

1
2

See FERC accession no. 20180917-3001.
See FERC accession no. 20180917-5034.

 20180917-3025 FERC PDF (Unofficial) 09/17/2018

Construction activities along project areas which had previously received a notice
to proceed may now continue. Atlantic and DETI are required to comply with the
Reasonable and Prudent Alternatives, Terms and Conditions, Monitoring and Reporting
Requirements, and Conservation Recommendations set forth in the BO. Further, prior to
resuming previously authorized construction activities across federal lands or waters of
the United States, Atlantic and DETI shall provide written concurrence from the Forest
Service and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers that the revised BO is consistent with those
agencies’ respective authorizations for the ACP and SHP.

Sincerely,

Terry L. Turpin
Director, Office of Energy Projects

cc:

Docket Nos. CP15-554-000, CP15-554-001, and CP15-555-000

2

 20180917-3025 FERC PDF (Unofficial) 09/17/2018

Document Content(s)
CP15-554 and CP15-555 Letter_signed.PDF...............................1-2