26. A Journey to VICTORY: The Atlantic Coast Pipeline is Cancelled!

Valerie Williams is President of BREDL Chapter Concerned Stewards of Halifax County. Valerie has a family farm that was on the proposed pathway of the Atlantic Coast Pipeline (ACP). Since 2014, us at BREDL began campaigning to counteract the planning and construction of the Atlantic Coast Natural Gas Pipeline that would stretch 600 miles across West Virginia, Virginia and North Carolina. After six long years of dedicated work, we all succeeded on July 5, 2020 in cancelling its construction due to ongoing delays and increasing cost uncertainty which threatened the economic viability of the project. One of the key tactics in leading to BREDL’s massive success was uniting community members against the pipeline from all across the political spectrum. By reaching out to people who are both conservative and liberal and everywhere in between, we were able to create a cohesive and extremely powerful bipartisan movement, one that you don’t see often in today’s political climate. The success of defeating the Atlantic Coast Pipeline is one that should be greatly celebrated. The idea of never giving up fighting for what you believe in and working together despite differences are important themes that led to this victory. With Valerie we discuss her story of the six year journey she and others have been fighting against this pipeline, actions they took, and what the cancellation means to her and her family. Contact and connect with Valerie: [email protected] BREDL on the ACP Victory: http://www.bredl.org/safeguard_americas_resources/ACP_Cancelled_BREDL_Statements.htm ACP Supreme Court Cases: https://www.sierraclub.org/sierra/whose-land-atlantic-coast-pipeline-appalachian-trail-supreme-court-dominion-energy-duke-energy http://www.springhopeenterprise.com/stories/pipeline-opponent-wants-appraisers-off-his-property,205899#.Xo8hZt-YzOg.facebook Dominion and Duke Energy’s Statements: https://atlanticcoastpipeline.com/news/2020/7/5/dominion-energy-and-duke-energy-cancel-the-atlantic-coast-pipeline.aspx