20140957 Ver 2_Public Notice Comments_20170719 (21)

Strickland, Bev
From:Durwood Stephenson <[e-mail]>
Sent:Wednesday, July 19, 2017 2:18 PM
To:SVC_DENR.publiccomments
Cc:Regan, Michael S
Subject:Atlantic Coast Pipeline (ACP) 401 Permit Application
TO: P UBLICCOMMENTS @NCDENR.GOV
FROM: M. D URWOOD S TEPHENSON
DATE: J ULY 19, 2017
RE: Atlantic Coast Pipeline (ACP) 401 Permit Application
I appreciate the opportunity to advocate for an important infrastructure project, the Atlantic Coast
Pipeline. I understand and value the care the NCDEQ puts into its decisions for North Carolina—I only ask that
you trust the extensive and thorough review process the ACP is undergoing.

Already, the ACP has had nearly three years of review and feedback. The project team evaluated more
than 6,000 miles of potential routes and made hundreds of route adjustments to avoid environmentally
sensitive areas and address individual landowner requests.

The ACP team provided more than 100,000 pages of reports and documentation covering every aspect
of the project. The comprehensive process has included careful analysis from the Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission and many state and national agencies, who are reviewing potential impacts to the land, air and
water quality, wildlife and other resources. So far, they agree that the project has adopted the necessary
measures to protect the environment.

Please trust the extensive process and don’t delay your approval of this safe and vital project.

It is my belief a major segment of the population of Eastern North Carolina is environmentally sensitive
and passionately protective of our environment. We are, however, also mindful of a region in economic
decline and in need of infrastructure improvements – especially the benefits of natural gas.

There is a gas “Tank” distribution facility in close proximity to my office. The gas is piped across our
County to service this facility and has been in existence for most of my adult life. There has never been an
environmentally damaging incidence from the pipeline. However, we have witnessed several accidents along
our major highways with tanker trucks resulting in spills and serious injuries. It is apparent that pipelines are
the safest mode of distributing this necessary product. The safety and impacts of the ACP has been vigorously
studied and analyzed. It is time to move forward with this valuable economic infrastructure project.

Thank you for your timely consideration and approval.

cc: Michael Regan – [e-mail]

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M. Durwood Stephenson
Stephenson General Contractors
Post Office Box 1187
Smithfield, North Carolina 27577
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]

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