THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, July 17, 1994 TAG: 9407160110
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 06 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Editorial
LENGTH: Short : 36 lines
Virginia Beach threw three hardballs Friday to dislodge the latest blockage in the Lake Gaston pipeline, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. The city wants to narrow FERC's options: It can reverse its decision last month to hinge a necessary permit on an unnecessary environmental review. It can face a court order to get moving. Or it can find itself bypassed. About time the city sharpened the stick at the federal bureaucracy.
Meantime, area legislators who hardly talk to each other wave the carrot of talks with North Carolina legislators, who seem now to want control of the pipeline's path and tap. Do they want to achieve something? Or just jostle for power, credit and blame?
Meantime, our senators and congressmen move so quietly in the wings they could hire out as mimes. They and the rest of the pols may need a second career if the city keeps tightening water restrictions - as Council did Friday with lot-size requirements for potable-water wells. That's a reminder citizens didn't need but too many movers and shakers apparently do: Water is supposed to be the end product here, not political chits or personal fortunes or Civil Service careers.
KEYWORDS: LAKE GASTON PIPELINE WATER SUPPLY PLAN
U.S. FEDERAL ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION
VIRGINIA BEACH CITY COUNCIL
by CNB