BECKLEY, WV (AP) A federal agency has reaffirmed its approval of the proposed Greenbrier Pipeline project, denying opponents’ request for another hearing.

"The Greenbrier project has a green light," said Tamara Young-Allen, spokeswoman for the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

The agency recently refused to reconsider its April decision approving the project, which is a partnership between Dominion Resources Inc. and Piedmont Natural Gas. Dominion’s plans call for building a 279-mi.-long, 30-in.-diameter natural gas pipeline from Kanawha County to North Carolina.

"They will have to get certain clearances along the way [from FERC], but they can construct their pipeline,’ Young-Allen said.

In West Virginia, the pipeline would run through Fayette, Kanawha, Mercer, Raleigh, Summers and Nicholas counties. It also would cross the Bluestone, Gauley and New rivers in West Virginia before running through southwestern Virginia to its terminus near Stem, NC.

Opponents of the project have cited concerns about potential gas explosions from leaks and the impact on property values.

"The commission considered opponents’ petitions for rehearing and decided to confirm itself,’ Young-Allen said. "The issues raised had already been addressed, and there was nothing presented that would persuade them to change their earlier decision."

Construction of the pipeline is scheduled to begin in 2004 and to be completed in 2005, Dominion spokesman Bob Fulton said.

Delegate Sally Susman, D-Raleigh, said she does not oppose economic development, but she still has concerns about the project.

"I didn’t want to see them ruin Piney View," she said. "I still don’t, and I’m still worried about that. I never really felt like you could actually stop it, though."

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