OREANDA-NEWS. July 24, 2017. The US Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has issued its final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for Dominion Energy's Atlantic Coast natural gas pipeline project, saying the company would have to implement mitigation measures.

Receiving a final EIS is the final step for natural gas pipeline projects before FERC makes a final decision whether to approve the project. When that decision will occur is less clear, as FERC lacks the quorum necessary to approve projects. President Donald Trump has appointed new members to the regulatory body, but the confirmation process could take several months.

The EIS also covers Dominion's 1.5 Bcf/d Supply Header expansion in Pennsylvania and West Virginia, a project that would primarily funnel gas into the Atlantic Coast line.

FERC said the construction and operation of the two projects would result in some adverse impacts, and that most — but not all — of those impacts could be reduced to less-than-significant levels if Dominion Energy takes steps to mitigate them and closely adheres to FERC's recommendations.

The 1.5 Bcf/d (42mn m?/d) project would stretch 550 miles (885km) from West Virginia, through Virginia and into North Carolina.