As reported by WVnews, The Mountain Valley Pipeline has received key approval from West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection staff.
The WVDEP approved the water protection individual permit this past Thursday, which would allow the pipeline to proceed.
The Mountain Valley Pipeline (MVP) project is a natural gas pipeline system that spans approximately 303 miles from northwestern West Virginia to southern Virginia – and as an interstate pipeline will be regulated by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). The MVP will be constructed and owned by Mountain Valley Pipeline, LLC (Mountain Valley), which is a joint venture of EQM Midstream Partners, LP; NextEra Capital Holdings, Inc.; Con Edison Transmission, Inc.; WGL Midstream; and RGC Midstream, LLC. EQM Midstream Partners.
Multiple pipeline jobs & constructions jobs have been, and will continue to be created through the project
The MVP project is estimated to sustain an average of 2,100 construction jobs in Virginia and 3,700 construction jobs in West Virginia through its targeted completion date supporting an estimated average of $59,800 per person in Virginia and $60,600 per person in West Virginia.
However, two other challenges are pending: One to a Forest Service permit that allows the natural gas pipeline to pass through 3.5 miles of the Jefferson National Forest.
The other to a finding by the Fish and Wildlife Service that running a massive pipe across steep slopes and through pristine waters would not jeopardize endangered species of fish and bats.
The pipeline will be operated by Equitrans, which projects the pipeline could be in service by summer, 2022.
