The photos displayed here represent a lifetime of hopes,
dreams, and hard work. Bob spent 20 years in the Navy, willing to sacrifice his
life to defend the rights of U.S. citizens. He now educates students about
defending our planet by teaching environmental science classes. Barbara just retired after forty-five years
of teaching. Her students were taught to
use their God-given talents to make the world a better place.
In 2010 we purchased a modest property in Nellysford,
Virginia, where we could retire and enjoy beautiful views of the
mountains. After living in various urban
areas we chose to settle in a bucolic and friendly community in Nelson
County. We immediately felt at home and
truly enjoyed exploring the local area.
Then came the news that Dominion wanted to build a 42” diameter pipeline
through the county. We were disappointed
and confused. How could a company that
touted its commitment to renewable energy embark on such a program? The route of the pipeline will pass through a
corner of our property and then run parallel to our back yard – all within a
hundred yards of our house! The pipeline
directly impacts our safety and quality of life. We would not have chosen to
live next to such a pipeline. Now we
have no real option.
We have been told that the pipeline is necessary to
transport natural gas that is needed to support our energy infrastructure. According to Dominion, this is a program that
will benefit our nation. Yet, according
to facts found on the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s website, the Atlantic
Coast Pipeline isn’t even necessary to meet those national energy needs! We
have an abundant gas supply, and we can use currently existing pipelines to
move gas to places where it is needed. In fact, we have such a surplus of
natural gas that currently there are fourteen proposed U.S. liquid natural gas
export terminals waiting to be certified by FERC! Is shipping the gas out of our country
benefitting our energy needs? Or, is the pipeline more about corporate profits
and greed?
If the FERC approves the ACP, what kind of a world will Dominion
have created? What will be the legacy our generation leaves for our
grandchildren? Right now we have a locally
healthy ecosystem and clean water. Can
that be guaranteed after the pipeline is built?
So,
what are we going to do? Once this corporate monster is unleashed, the damage
cannot be undone. Lives and environment will be changed and possibly destroyed forever. Every citizen has a choice: complacency or
action? As a nation we have prided
ourselves on our property laws. We can
build and develop our land knowing it is ours and cannot be taken from us on a
whim. Yet, Dominion, a for-profit
company, is planning to do exactly that by utilizing eminent domain in order to
build their pipeline. We have worked
hard and fought hard for our rights and our land. If the pipeline is as popular as Dominion says, then let them
route it through land that people want to sell, or let them use existing right-of-ways.
We choose to continue fighting against this the Dominion bully
through participation in media awareness events, political participation, and
legal action. We refuse to surrender our hopes and dreams without a fight. We
hope and pray that FERC will consider their duty to protect citizens and maintain
the health of the planet by denying approval of this destructive and
unnecessary ACP project.