Four state legislators from western Virginia in the past few days are the latest to join with a bipartisan caucus calling on Gov. Terry McAuliffe and the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality to slow down, correct its process and ensure that water resources are protected from the impacts of the two major gas pipelines proposed through the region.
State Senators Emmett Hanger (R-Mount Solon) and Creigh Deeds (D-Hot Springs) and Delegates Dickie Bell (R-Staunton) and Sam Rasoul (D-Roanoke) teamed up on a strong letter to DEQ Director David Paylor and Virginia’s State Water Control Board, asking to slow down the review process for the proposed Atlantic Coast and Mountain Valley pipelines, and to use the state’s full authority to protect their constituents’ water. The legislators noted that “Both pipelines pose some of the most significant threats to Virginia’s water quality and aquatic environment in decades.” ABRA’s press release, which includes a link to the letter, is available here.