20140957 Ver 2_re ACP_20170803

Strickland, Bev
From:Lauri Langham <[e-mail]>
Sent:Thursday, August 03, 2017 2:40 PM
To:SVC_DENR.publiccomments
Subject:re: ACP

5320 Cascade Dr.
Chapel Hill, NC
Aug. 3 2017
RE: Atlantic Coast Pipeline

Dear Members of the NC Division of Water Resources,
I am writing to ask you not to grant a permit for the Atlantic Coast Pipeline. There are numerous reasons for
this. It has been proven that methane is a much more potent contributor to greenhouse gases and global
warming that carbon dioxide. During this time of record heat and extreme weather events, to name a few of
the effects of global warming, it is destructive to the natural world and human populations to continue to use
natural gas, especially when we have good alternatives!
I also understand and have heard this for a couple of years now, that in NC our electricity usage has evened
out, so that the building of the new gas fired plants is not even necessary. We don’t need this natural gas in
NC. In our state we have so many opportunities to develop and use wind, solar and geothermal technologies,
as well as implement conservation measures. These are the areas we should be focusing on. It seems that
Duke Power is not motivate to pursue safe clean energy. They have a track record of discouraging solar
energy in our state. They actively fought the Energy Freedom Act, to allow solar companies to install solar on
private homes and buildings in NC, and their stated goal of supplying energy using alternative energy sources
in their company is very low, I believe well under 10% of total energy.
Last, but definitely not least in importance, are the negative environmental and social impacts of building a
pipeline. Forests, wetlands, streams, and creeks would suffer. There are lots of issues having to do with
erosion, water quality, effects on groundwater etc. that are not adequately addressed. There would be
negative effects on fish and wildlife close to the pipeline. The impact on the human communities, including
Native American and disadvantaged people living in the affected areas has not been adequately studied. We
know the pipeline would provide very few and primarily temporary jobs.
I strongly encourage you to make a bold statement in favor of protecting our climate by NOT approving this
pipeline that is unnecessary, would promote the release of toxic methane into the atmosphere, and would
hurt our North Carolina woodlands, streams, wildlife and peoples. I have lived in NC for over 60 years and
would love to see it be a leader in stopping harmful practices and thereby helping to create clean and safe
energy sources for all of us and our children and grandchildren.
Sincerely,

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Lauri Langham
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