Dominion outlines Atlantic Coast Pipeline route alternative for Augusta County, Va.

Dominion Resources Inc. has suggested a route alternative for the proposed Atlantic Coast Pipeline LLC in Augusta County, Va., to avoid the Lyndhurst Water Protection Area, a water source also called the Lyndhurst Well.

The 1.5-bcfd interstate natural gas pipeline would stretch about 560 miles southeast from Harrison County, W. Va., to Chesapeake, Va., and Robeson County, NC. Since the pipeline was proposed, some landowners in Augusta and Nelson counties have resisted the project.

"In listening to the concerns of the Augusta County Service Authority, the Atlantic Coast Pipeline routing engineers believe they have found a promising route variation," Dominion said in an e-mail to UOGR.

The new route would affect 40 properties, and Dominion sent letters to the landowners of those 40 parcels seeking permission to survey the properties to get detailed information about the route variation.

Augusta County officials had expressed concerns over possible contamination of the water supply.

The estimated $5 billion pipeline would be owned by Dominion 45%,Duke Energy 40%, and Piedmont Natural Gas 10%, and AGL Resources Inc. 5%.

Dominion expects construction could begin in second-half 2016, pending regulatory approvals, for a fourth-quarter 2018 in-service data.

Separately, Virginia Sec. of Commerce Maurice Jones told University of Virginia Batten School students in Charlottesville, VA., on Oct. 13 that he believes Virginia can grow its economy by investing in natural gas pipelines.

"Natural gas is a game changer when it comes to energy costs for both existing business and attracting new businesses," said Jones.