On January 29, 2018, in Buckingham Circuit Court, residents opposed to the Atlantic Coast Pipeline compressor station will have their day in court.  Judge William Alexander will preside over oral arguments presented by opposing sides: E. M. Wright representing the defendant Buckingham County Board of Supervisors and Charles  M. Lollar representing the plaintiff Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League.

At issue are the pollution, noise and unfair selection of the site in an historic African American community.  The case was initiated in 2017 by Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League working with local residents in the Union Hill community. In addition to BREDL and its chapter Concern for the New Generation, thirteen local landowners living near the site of a proposed natural gas compression station are named in the petition.

The court hearing will begin at 11:00 AM on Monday, January 29, in Buckingham County Circuit Court (13061 West James Anderson Highway, Buckingham VA 23921).  The hearing is expected to last an hour and a half.  Plaintiffs will hold a press conference immediately after the hearing.

Synopsis of BREDL’s petition to the Court, filed March 8, 2017:

THE BLUE RIDGE ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENSE LEAGUE, INC. et al, v. Robert C. “Bobby” Jones, Chair of Buckingham County Board of Supervisors, et al, Buckingham Co Cir. Ct. Case No. CL17000031-00

Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League, a Virginia Corporation, and its chapter Concern for the New Generation seek judicial review of the decision by the Buckingham County Board of Supervisors to grant special use permit 16-SUP236 for a natural gas compressor station in Buckingham County.  The Special Use Permit as approved by Buckingham County is contrary to existing zoning law and therefore invalid.  Further, the action by the County was arbitrary and capricious.  Our goal is reversal and dismissal of the special use permit. The major issues presented are: 1) Excessive and harmful noise levels, 2) Improper Local Governing Body Certification to Virginia, 3) Improper zoning exception for pipeline as public utility, and 4) Environmental justice under Commonwealth Energy Policy VAC § 67-101.