This text is from an email alert we sent out on Aug 11, 2014:

Dear Supporter,

There may be some welcome news on the proposed Spectra Energy gas pipeline. Late last week, a company representative was quoted in a Highland County newspaper as saying:

“Spectra Energy is suspending its development work on the proposed [project]… We will continue to evaluate opportunities in the region which could include the study corridor in your area, and should there be developments, we will keep you informed.”

While this announcement doesn't mean Spectra is gone for good, it is definitely a positive sign for citizens in our region. We believe that this communities' individual and collective response to the proposal impacted Spectra's decision to re-evaluate.

Immediately after learning about the project, PEC sent letters to landowners along the route and organized community meetings. This helped generate letters from potentially affected landowners, as well as communications from interested parties like the Department of Interior and Montpelier and the Virginia Outdoors Foundation. It's important to keep those letters going in and be ready for Round 2 should it be necessary!

Unfortunately, we know that Spectra is still interested in building a pipeline through Virginia. The Spectra representative said one option they are considering is partnering with Dominion on its Dominion Southeast Reliability Project — a project we will be responding to with our partners to the south and west.

Stay tuned for any updates.

Sincerely,

Dan Holmes
Director of State Policy
The Piedmont Environmental Council
dholmes@pecva.org