Construction on the Mountain Valley Pipeline has come to a halt.
The temporary suspension
Pipeline construction will resume once the erosion controls are restored.
Here is the full statement from Mountain Valley Pipeline officials:
Since inception of the Mountain Valley Pipeline (MVP) project, the MVP team has been closely coordinating with the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (VDEQ) to ensure appropriate soil erosion and sediment controls were implemented, and restored where necessary, along the pipeline route. After direct consultation with VDEQ, and in light of the recent extraordinary rainfall experienced in Virginia, we have agreed to temporarily suspend pipeline installation activities, including welding, trenching, and stringing of pipe, in Virginia. The MVP project team takes its environmental stewardship responsibilities very seriously and wants to redirect its work efforts to focus exclusively on erosion controls affected by recent weather events. As the controls are enhanced and restored at given points along the route, MVP will continue to coordinate with VDEQ to resume full pipeline construction activities in those areas.
Here is the statement from Appalachian Voices Executive Director Tom Cormons:
“This underscores the need for immediate and decisive action by the Northam administration. This temporary pause does not obviate the need for a formal stop-work order while the state conducts the stream-by-stream analysis for both pipelines that candidate Northam promised.”
Here is a state from DEQ:
At a number of sites, erosion control measures were in place, however, they did not meet DEQ standards. There is no specific timeline for the suspension. As soon as upgrades are completed and approved by DEQ, construction can resume.
Citizen complaints did factor into this decision. Public feedback, combined with what the agency learned through DEQ inspections, led to this conclusion.
Public complaints are investigated as DEQ receives them. Please email complaints to MountainValleyPipeline@DEQ.Virginia.gov