FERC authorizes Dominion to start felling trees in path of pipeline

Trees will soon start being to make way for construction of the Atlantic Coast Pipeline.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission approved a

for the pipeline and a supply header project on Friday. That means they can start chopping down vegetation in the path of construction planned for 2018.

The limited tree felling and vegetation clearing are expected to begin in the coming days in Virginia and West Virginia. Similar work can't begin in North Carolina, because there, state regulators

.

"This work will only be done on properties where we’ve reached agreements with landowners," said Dominion Energy spokesperson Aaron Ruby in a statement. "None of the work will be done in wetlands, near waterbodies or in other areas that require additional federal and state permits. We will, of course, notify all landowners before beginning activity on their property."

The work is expected to continue through the end of March.

Dominion Energy expects to get all of the approvals it still needs and a Notice to Proceed in time for construction to begin in early spring.

As of now, the Atlantic Coast Pipeline project is scheduled to be completed in late 2019.

"It has been a lengthy and rigorous regulatory process over the last three and half years," said Ruby. "More than a dozen state and federal agencies have thoroughly reviewed the project and left no stone unturned."