Align Renewable Natural Gas (RNG), LLC, a joint venture between Dominion Energy and Smithfield Foods, is proposing to build and operate a new directed biogas facility in Duplin County. North Carolina’s Department of Environmental Quality will host a virtual public hearing on November 16, 2020 at 6 p.m. to discuss the air quality permit application, followed by a public hearing. If you wish to speak at the public hearing, you must register by 4 p.m. on November 16. To register, please visit: https://bit.ly/33qAtqx or call (919) 618-0968.

 WebEx Link: https://bit.ly/3mlsbZO    Event Password: NCDAQ
Phone: US TOLL +1-415-655-0003, Access Code 171 380 3983

Community Health Impacts
Align RNG’s first biogas project in North Carolina is located near Warsaw in Duplin County, and is called the Grady Road Project. The project includes:

• Emitting 60 tons of toxic gases, including Sulfur Dioxide, into the air each year — even as COVID cases continue to grow in Duplin at an alarming rate
• Laying 30+ miles of pipelines across unknown areas of Duplin and Sampson counties to transport biogas from hog operations to the upgrading facility; and
• Constructing a central upgrading facility, where the biogas would be processed and injected into the existing natural gas pipeline

Let there be no mistake, this project will harm communities—with discriminatory impact—and pollute our rivers, streams, and air!

Lack of Community Input
This may be the public’s only opportunity to weigh in with DEQ about the Grady Road Project. Dominion and Smithfield will not reveal which hog operations are involved in the project or where the pipeline will be located, depriving the community of critical information related to the siting of the project. Meanwhile, we are in the midst of a global pandemic and public health crisis which makes it even more difficult for community members to voice their concerns about the project.

We cannot allow Smithfield Foods and Dominion Energy to add to the pollution burden of community members in Duplin and Sampson counties, especially during a pandemic!

For those who are unable to attend, comments can be submitted by email to DAQ.publiccomments@ncdenr.gov with the subject line “Align Energy.”

Comments may also be left via voicemail by calling this number: (919) 707-8714.  

Comments will be accepted until November 20, 2020 at 5 p.m.