RALEIGH -- North Carolina will work toward a renewable energy future and rural economic development with the establishment of a new fund, Governor Roy Cooper said.

The announcement comes as the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) issues the requested water permit for the Atlantic Coast Pipeline (ACP).

ACP and its partners Dominion Power and Duke Energy will put $57.8 million into the fund to be used for environmental mitigation initiatives such as reducing the carbon footprint and expansion of renewable energy sources. Funds can also be used to ensure that local communities benefit economically from the pipeline by having have access to natural gas from the pipeline. ACP did not guarantee affordable access to natural gas for communities through which the pipeline will run. Details on how the fund will operate are underway

“My goal for North Carolina is complete reliance on renewable energy, which builds a cleaner environment and a stronger economy,” Gov. Cooper said. “During the time it takes to get us to a full renewable energy future, we will still need to rely on other fuels as we move away from the pollution of coal-fired power plants.”

DEQ is committed to an added level of protection for communities. The agency will carefully monitor construction and operation of the pipeline, which has conditional water permits from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, the state of West Virginia and the Commonwealth of Virginia, in order to address any potential safety risks. ACP will be required to mitigate any damage from the construction.

“Preserving clean water and the integrity of the communities where this pipeline is constructed will be a priority,” Gov. Cooper said. “I have asked our environmental regulators at DEQ to hold this project accountable and to continue to insist on clean water, effective sedimentation control and high air quality along the path of the construction. At the same time, I am continuing to push for more renewable energy, especially solar and wind.”

DEQ required ACP to submit additional application information on five occasions. Based on information received in that process and feedback during a public comment period, the water permit includes numerous stringent requirements including stream and wetland monitoring and protection, well testing, regular inspections, and construction stormwater protections.