This was an easy decision for FERC. Secretary Perry’s proposal was nothing more than a massive bailout for the coal and nuclear industries, so it’s no surprise it was resoundingly rejected by even the industry-friendly commission.

Today’s new offshore drilling plan reveals, once again, that Trump’s energy strategy entails little more than smoothing the road for Big Oil to to get whatever they want. This plan is a gift to companies that want open access to our protected ocean waters and has literally no rational basis other than to curry favor with the oil industry. This is a purely political move devoid of any economic or demand driver.

Just as in Ohio and Michigan in recent months, Energy Transfer Partners and its affiliates now in Pennsylvania continue to show a reckless disregard for the environment and communities as it rabidly builds its pipelines across the country.

The managed decline of fossil fuels has begun. Leaders around the world have a choice: Will they join France in moving forward in ending fossil fuel extraction and managing the decline of the fossil fuel industry? Or will they continue to deny full steam ahead off the cliff to climate disaster and economic disarray?

The Atlantic Coast Pipeline, like the Mountain Valley Pipeline, is a boondoggle that imperils our climate and communities. It must not be built. The Water Board has given itself an important opportunity to complete its work the right way by finalizing a complete rejection.