RICHMOND — Fifty students from the Virginia Student Environmental Coalition (VSEC) demonstrated in front of Gov. Terry McAuliffe’s Mansion on Monday to demand a halt to the Atlantic Coast Pipeline.

According to a release from the VSEC, the students challenged McAuliffe’s stance on the pipeline and “insisted that he take action on the climate issues. …”

“McAuliffe’s approval of the Atlantic Coast Pipeline contradicts his stated commitment to fight climate change,” the release stated. “Construction of the pipeline, along with several other proposed fossil fuel infrastructure projects, will compromise Virginia’s ability to meet the goals of the Clean Power Plan.”

Dominion is the lead partner in a joint venture to build the natural gas pipeline, which, if approved by federal regulators, would span Buckingham, Cumberland and Prince Edward counties.

“The Atlantic Coast Pipeline will run through some of Virginia’s poorest rural communities,” said Rabib Hasan, VSEC organizer. “Land will be seized, and life-threatening infrastructure will be built in its place.”