Dominion Energy Inc. and Duke Energy Corp. announced Sunday they were abandoning the controversial Atlantic Coast Pipeline project citing costs and new regulations.

The long-delayed $8 billion project has been in the works for six years and aimed to transport natural gasses 600 miles through the Appalachian Trail and three different states. It faced opposition from many environmentalist groups, community leaders, and elected officials due to the threats it posed to the natural environment.

“As the co-founder of the Virginia Green New Deal Coalition, I am ecstatic that the Atlantic Coast Pipeline has been officially cancelled,” said Delegate Elizabeth Guzman (D-Dale City) in a statement. “Do not discount the magic of activism. Make no mistake, Dominion’s decision to abandon the project is a direct result of the voices of everyday people and grassroots organizations whose voices and votes overpowered the powerful. This Independence Day weekend, let’s renew our commitment to all the causes we hold dear. Keep beating that drum not just for a clean environment, but also for racial justice, fairness to workers, green union jobs, and affordable health care for everyone, no matter who they are or where they’re from.”

The Greater Prince William Climate Action Network, a group that has fought for environmental protection in Prince William County and the Commonwealth of Virginia, released the following statement on the decision: “After this overdue decision, Dominion and Duke Energy came to the same conclusion environmental activists and grassroots organizations have been advocating for the last 6 years: that this pipeline project is unnecessary, expensive and a threat to the communities in its path. The inevitable truth that polluters must face is simple: fossil fuels are on their way out.”

While some advocates like Guzman cite the dangers that the project posed, others claim that the pipeline was an important investment and would not harm the surrounding area.

“I’m disappointed to learn plans to build the Atlantic Coast Pipeline have been cancelled,” said Senator Joe Manchin (D-West Virginia) “The Atlantic Coast Pipeline project took meaningful steps to ensure the pipeline was safely constructed and the Appalachian Trail and surrounding areas were protected. The pipeline would have created good paying construction and manufacturing jobs for hard working West Virginians, reinvested in our energy markets increasing our domestic energy supply, and strengthened national security with reliable energy to key military installations. Today’s announcement is yet another reminder of why it is critically important we work together to find a responsible balance between the environment and economy. We must take steps to modernize our nation’s energy policy by passing the bipartisan American Energy Innovation Act.”

Manchin has often been criticized by environmentalist groups because of his record of voting for reckless environmental and climate policies during his time in the United States Senate

The project’s end comes after a court prevented the companies from bulldozing a historically Black neighborhood in Richmond earlier this year in January.