Virginians launch 'Pipeline Pledge of Resistance' to stop future projects

Some people in our area are vowing civil disobedience to stop the Atlantic Coast Pipeline from being built through part of the Valley.

"I'm willing to do anything to protect my environment, for this generation and many to come," said pipeline pledger, Jennifer Lewis.

Lewis is one many in the Valley to sign the 'Pipeline Pledge of Resistance', a pledge inspired by movements to stop the Dakota Access Pipeline and Keystone XL Pipeline.

Lewis and others want to stop the Atlantic Coast Pipeline and the Mountain Valley Pipeline, which are proposed for parts of Virginia including Augusta County.

"All of these pipelines are connected to the fact that they could potentially mess with our water, contaminate our water, and pollute our environment," Lewis said.

"If hundreds of us stand up, and pledge to resist these pipelines, including — if necessary — pledging to participate in peaceful, dignified civil disobedience, we can convince our federal, state, regional and local leaders that going forward is no longer politically feasible for them,” the letter states. “And that is our goal.”

But not everyone is against the idea. Scott Seaton lives in Waynesboro and believes the pipelines will be a dependable energy source for people living in our area and will provide plenty of benefits.

"It also provides really good heat for our homes, for our schools, for our government buildings," Seaton said. "For our universities and our colleges that help us to keep their expenses down so that our expenses to provide those services are down also."

But pledgers like Lewis will continue to fight and urges others to do the same.

"Show up to our rallies, show up to our demonstrations. They're really important," said Lewis. They send a big strong message, to not only dominion but also to our elected officials."

Dominion said pending approval, construction will begin on the pipeline, late next year.

You can read the full pledge in the Related Links section of this article, and see past WHSV stories about the Atlantic Coast Pipeline in the Related Stories section.