Gabby Brown, gabby.brown@sierraclub.org
Charleston, WV -- Today, the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection (WVDEP) issued a water quality certification for the fracked gas Mountain Valley Pipeline, under section 401 of the Clean Water Act. Planned to run over 300 miles through West Virginia and Virginia, the pipeline would cross hundreds of streams, wetlands and several major rivers that would lead to long-term degradation to water quality.
This latest permit shows WVDEP’s continued disregard for sufficient measures that would protect West Virginia waterways and local communities who rely on clean water sources. The Mountain Valley Pipeline mainline is billions of dollars over budget, more than three years behind schedule, and has racked up more than $2 million in fines for water quality-related violations in Virginia and West Virginia.
Despite this permit, the project still faces obstacles to continue. The project still needs authorization from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, as well as an additional approval from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. Moreover, the U.S. 4th Circuit Court of Appeals is currently considering the legality of MVP’s Forest Service and Endangered Species Act approvals.
Sierra Club Senior Organizer Caroline Hansley said, “The Mountain Valley Pipeline’s pollution track record and water quality-related violations should be sufficient evidence that MVP will continue to do harm and demolish our waterways if given the chance. It is clear that MVP can’t be trusted to safely build or operate their pipeline. We will not stand by as regulators continue to line the pockets of corporate polluters, and will pursue all legal avenues to ensure that this pipeline is never completed.”
Peter Anderson, Virginia Policy Director for Appalachian Voices, said “West Virginia communities deserve the same clean water protections as their neighbors in North Carolina, where regulators rejected a similar permit for the proposed Southgate extension of the Mountain Valley Pipeline. Fortunately, the road ahead for the MVP mainline remains uncertain. The fight continues.”
Howdy Henritz, President of Indian Creek Watershed Association, said, “We’re sickened by this environmentally unsound permit decision. WVDEP simply does not have enough inspectors to monitor construction on stream and wetland crossings over the 200 miles of pipeline in West Virginia. Over 300 complaints filed by our volunteers show that MVP will be unable to prevent irreparable harm as it blasts and bores its way across our waters. We have zero trust in WVDEP's assurances. The crucial fact remains that the route was poorly designed. There are no safe ways to cross all these mountain streams and wetlands.”
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with millions of members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.